Three-star running back Michael Martin will attend Saturday’s game against Virginia Tech, marking his second visit this fall. Martin has become a familiar face on campus after attending nearly every Clemson footballhome game last season.
When I spoke with Martin in March, he pointed to the people around the program as a reason he kept returning.
“The culture at Clemson is different from anywhere I’ve been,” Martin told Clemson Wire. “It’s like a big family, and you can feel that. They always treat me and my family great. Not just Coach Spiller, but every coach or staff member does.”
His relationship with running backs coach C.J. Spiller has been a consistent part of every visit.
“His message is always the same. Just keep working hard and being me,”
Martin said in March. “We have a great relationship, so it was good to see him again.”
The 5-foot-9, 185-pound back transferred from Christ Church to Southside Christian midseason and is scheduled to make his debut Friday after sitting out under transfer rules. He rushed for more than 1,400 yards and scored 30 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore.
I am looking forward to being back in Death Valley on Saturday after my first game back this Friday Night! 🐅@ClemsonFB @CJSPILLER @Clements_TJC @coachchadmorris @jonathan_gess @SCS_SabresFB @CoachSam_J @CoachTyColson @G_Whitlock16 @CoachTC19 @CamFetty33 @amanirichburg88… pic.twitter.com/5X36aSxw0U
— Michael S. Martin II “BIG 13” (@BigMichaelBig13) October 14, 2026
Martin has also visited Virginia, Wake Forest, Cincinnati, and Duke this season. Clemson has offered one running back in his class so far, four-star Xander Edwards, who announced his offer during the Miami visit on Oct. 3.
Clemson QB Christopher Vizzina takes big step toward injury return
— Clemson Wire (@Clemson_Wire) October 15, 2026
📸 Butch Dill, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/E3tnb8WuDG pic.twitter.com/dLXSpxhRx5
Contact us at @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: One of South Carolina’s top running backs can’t stay away from Clemson
