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The Syracuse Orange have added its second grad transfer for the 2017 football season.
Former Toledo Rockets cornerback Jordan Martin will join Syracuse this summer, and be able to play right away. He has one year of eligibility remaining after wrapping up his time at Toledo.
Syracuse.com was the first to report the news.
When speaking with Syracuse.com’s Stephen Bailey, Martin was open about the process of coming aboard with the Orange:
"They saw my film and brought me up for a visit. I loved the environment and the love I received from the coaching staff as well as the academic department. It's a great school and they play some great teams, their schedule next year is hefty so it was pretty easy making my decision to play for them."
Martin missed all of 2015 with an ACL tear. Back in action this past fall, he had 24 tackles and defended four passes while playing in 11 games for Toledo. Playing in the large majority of three seasons, he’s amassed 74 tackles and forced three turnovers (including an interception).
The Maryland product brings a unique body type to the Orange as a 6-foot-3, 206-pound corner. Despite Syracuse having more defensive backs on the roster than any other position group, the team’s struggles in the secondary have necessitated an immediate upgrade. SU was 118th in pass defense last season, and allowed 8.9 yards per completion.
Martin will be competing for a starting role along with fellow grad transfer Devin Butler. Butler announced he was coming to Syracuse (from Notre Dame) back in December, and is already on campus. On the current spring depth chart, Cordell Hudson and Christopher Fredrick are the listed starters. Butler is set as a second-stringer for the time being, along with Scoop Bradshaw. Martin’s addition, along with the healthy return of Juwan Dowels, should create a very lively competition for playing time once summer camp gets rolling.