Texas Tech fans have plenty to be excited about heading into 2026, and one of the biggest reasons is cornerback S'Vioarean Martin. The 6-foot-2, 198-pound defensive back out of Palestine (TX) High School has officially arrived on campus in Lubbock after signing with the Red Raiders in December-and not only is he already turning heads, he’s climbing the national rankings in a big way.
Martin made a major leap in 247Sports’ final rankings for the 2026 class, jumping into the Top247 at No. 177 overall. That’s a significant move for a player who, not long ago, was sitting outside that elite group with a solid but not eye-popping four-star rating. Now, he’s being talked about as one of the top defensive backs in the country.
So, what’s behind the surge? It starts with the physical tools.
Martin has rare size for a corner, with a frame more reminiscent of a hybrid safety-linebacker than a traditional boundary DB. But don’t let the measurables fool you-he moves like a true cover man, and he showed that in a big way during Navy All-American Bowl week.
That setting, which puts top-tier recruits head-to-head in a high-intensity environment, can be a proving ground or a wake-up call. For Martin, it was the former.
He didn’t just hold his own against elite competition-he stood out. In 7-on-7s, he flashed athleticism and fluidity in coverage.
But it was in full team sessions where he really made his mark, showing physicality that’s hard to teach. On multiple occasions, he dominated would-be blockers in the screen game, blowing up plays before they had a chance to develop.
That physical edge is part of what makes Martin so intriguing. He’s not just a long, athletic corner who can run with receivers-he’s got the kind of edge and toughness that defensive coordinators love.
He stuck with receivers at every level of the field, and while he still has room to grow in terms of locating the ball downfield, the ability to stay in phase is already there. That’s a big deal, especially considering he didn’t face a ton of high-level passing attacks during his high school career in Texas 4A.
The projection? Martin looks like a high-major defensive back with all the tools to play on Sundays.
He’s got the frame, the athleticism, and the competitive edge that NFL scouts covet. And while he’s still developing in certain areas, the foundation is strong enough that he could end up outperforming even his new, elevated ranking.
Texas Tech’s coaching staff clearly saw the upside early-Martin committed back in June over a lengthy list of offers that included programs like Arizona, Baylor, Cal, Houston, Kansas State, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, and SMU. The Red Raiders not only landed his signature in December, but they’ve already got him on campus as an early enrollee, which gives him a head start heading into spring ball.
And Martin isn’t the only reason for optimism in Lubbock. Texas Tech’s 2026 high school recruiting class ranks No. 18 nationally and tops the Big 12. Add in the No. 9-ranked transfer class, and the Red Raiders sit at No. 14 overall when you combine both high school and portal additions.
That’s the kind of roster-building momentum that can change the trajectory of a program. And if Martin continues to develop the way scouts believe he can, he could be one of the cornerstones of a defense that helps Texas Tech take the next step in the Big 12 and beyond.