Chaz Martin’s senior season wasn’t just impressive - it was historic.
The Wilson Central standout carved up defenses week after week in Ben Kuhn’s unbalanced, single-wing offense, rewriting the program’s record books along the way. Now, the Wildcats’ all-time leading rusher is taking his talents to the next level, officially signing with the University of the Cumberlands in a ceremony held inside Wilson Central’s indoor practice facility.
At 5-foot-10, Martin isn’t the biggest back you’ll see, but don’t let that fool you. His speed and vision made him a nightmare for opposing defenses all season long, and the numbers back it up. He chose the Patriots over a reported offer from Lindsey Wilson University, opting to continue his football journey at the NAIA level with a program that’s no stranger to high-level talent.
Martin’s senior campaign was one for the ages. He set new school records for single-game, single-season, and career rushing yards - a trifecta that speaks to both his explosiveness and consistency.
His breakout performance came on Sept. 5, when he torched Coffee County for 261 yards, breaking Ladarious Stewart’s previous single-game record. He also matched the program’s single-game touchdown mark with four scores in that same 29-22 win.
And he didn’t slow down.
The very next week, Martin piled up 223 yards and two more touchdowns against James Lawson, helping Wilson Central open the season 4-0 for the first time since 2019. Even after suffering an ankle injury that lingered through the final month of the season, Martin continued to produce at a high level. He wrapped up the year with 1,365 rushing yards and a school-record 14 rushing touchdowns.
For his efforts, Martin was named Region 4-6A Running Back of the Year and earned a spot on the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class 4A All-State team - well-deserved honors for a player who was the engine of Wilson Central’s offense.
By the time the dust settled on his high school career, Martin held 10 school records. Among them: career rushing touchdowns (24), career rushing yards (2,131), and career scoring (168 points). That’s not just success - that’s legacy.
Now, as he heads to the University of the Cumberlands, Martin brings with him a résumé packed with production, leadership, and big-game performances. If his high school career is any indication, the Patriots are getting a back who doesn’t just chase records - he breaks them.