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The Remarkable Journey That Brought Tyler Martinez to Colorado

In a video posted on social media, New Mexico State transfer linebacker Tyler Martinez spoke on the journey that brought him to the Colorado Buffaloes.
Jack Carlough|
Oct 4, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders on the field during warmups prior to a game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Oct 4, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders on the field during warmups prior to a game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

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Colorado BuffaloesNew Mexico State Aggies

Looking to make the most out of his final year of eligibility, former New Mexico State linebacker Tyler Martinez is now set to close his college football career at the Power Four level.

Martinez transferred to the Colorado Buffaloes in early January and should have no trouble earning the respect of his new teammates. A former unranked prospect from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Martinez proved his worth at the junior college level and later at NMSU before entering the portal.

Journey Tyler Martinez Colorado Buffaloes New Mexico State Aggies Transfer Portal Linebacker Commitment Deion Sanders Recruit
Nov 16, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; New Mexico State Aggies linebacker Tyler Martinez (35) defends in coverage as Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Dametrious Crownover (78) blocks during the second half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

In a recent video posted to social media, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound linebacker opened up on how he has been overlooked throughout his career.

"At my high school (Volcano Vista), I didn't have a single Division I offer coming out," Martinez said. "I was the Defensive Player of the Year in New Mexico. I bet on myself, went JUCO (New Mexico Military Institute). I had a good year there. I finished top-five in the country in tackles as a true freshman."

Martinez tallied an impressive 145 total tackles, including 29.5 for a loss, as a senior at Volcano Vista before heading to the New Mexico Military Institute. There, he recorded a team-high 83 tackles to go along with two forced fumbles and two pass breakups.

After boosting his stock at the junior college level, Martinez transferred to New Mexico State and spent three seasons with the Aggies. As a junior in 2024, he led the team with 96 total tackles and earned Second-Team All-Conference USA honors.

"I loved my time over there, very thankful for that place," Martinez said. "Grew and developed over there for three years."

Journey Tyler Martinez Colorado Buffaloes New Mexico State Aggies Transfer Portal Linebacker Commitment Deion Sanders Recruit
Middle Tennessee tight end Holden Willis (83) grabs a pass and is tackled by New Mexico State linebacker Tyler Martinez (35) during the season final home football game for Middle Tennessee, on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. | HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Unfortunately for Martinez, his senior season was cut short last fall when he suffered an ankle injury in New Mexico State's fourth game. He had totaled 27 tackles, one forced fumble, an interception and three pass breakups before going down.

"Last year was actually supposed to be my last year of eligibility and then in the fourth game, I went down with a season-ending ankle injury," Martinez said. "Before the season ended, God told me it was time to go, so I decided to enter the transfer portal and landed here."

MORE: Colorado Buffaloes Biggest Defensive Transfer Portal Addition

MORE: What Colorado Men's Basketball Proved in Near-Upset of BYU

MORE: Brett Favre Makes Feelings About Deion Sanders' NFL Career Clear

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Tyler Martinez's Fit at Colorado

Journey Tyler Martinez Colorado Buffaloes New Mexico State Aggies Transfer Portal Linebacker Commitment Deion Sanders Recruit
Linebacker Tyler Martinez drops back in pass coverage as the Aggies opened their season on Saturday night against the Bryant Bulldogs at Aggie Memorial Stadium. | Jaime Guzman/Special the Sun-News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As coach Deion Sanders has relayed numerous times, nothing is guaranteed within his Colorado football program. Martinez may have an impressive resume, but he'll be forced to compete with returner Kylan Salter, Gideon Lampron (Bowling Green transfer), Liona Lefau (Texas transfer) and incoming freshmen Carson Crawford, Colby Johnson and Rodney Colton Jr.

Martinez, Lampron and Lefau are still expected to see the most playing time at inside linebacker next season due to their college experience, although "Coach Prime" has proven willing to mix things up when veterans fail to produce.

Former Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Chris Marve is set to coach Colorado's linebackers.

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Jack Carlough
JACK CARLOUGH

Jack Carlough is lead reporter for Colorado Buffaloes on SI. Jack graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in journalism and minors in business and sports media. Born and raised in the Boulder area, Jack began covering Colorado athletics in 2018 and was the head sports editor of the CU Independent during his college career. More recently, he spent over three years as the managing editor of the USA Today Sports Network's Colorado Buffaloes Wire, where he covered Colorado's hiring of head football coach Deion Sanders. Other publications Jack has written for include the Boulder Daily Camera, Left Hand Valley Courier and SB Nation’s Ralphie Report. In 2022, the Colorado Press Association awarded Jack second place in its annual Class 5 Best Sports Column Writing category.

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