Kyle Martin Embracing the Moment, the Legacy, and the Future at Washington State
PULLMAN - For the first time since Jimmy Rogers’ departure, a non-graduating Washington State player stepped up to the mic. That player was Kyle Martin - a 6-foot-3, 303-pound center from Sumner, Washington - and what he said spoke volumes about the culture in the Cougars’ offensive line room.
Martin, a third-year player set to make just his second career start in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, didn’t hesitate when asked the question that’s been circling since the coaching shakeup: Will he be back at WSU?
"I'm a Coug," Martin said simply. "I plan on being a Coug.
I mean, that's it. I've been here for three years.
I'm not going to be fishing around. I'm ready to be here, stay a Coug, kind of follow in this guy's path."
The guy he pointed to? Brock Dieu - the veteran center who’s been both mentor and motivator for Martin.
Dieu stood nearby during the interview, still recovering from injury and watching the younger lineman step into the role he once held. It was a symbolic moment, but also a familiar one for Washington State.
This is a program where offensive linemen don’t just block - they anchor. They stay.
From Abraham Lucas and Liam Ryan to Konner Gomness, Ma’ake Fifita, and now Dieu and Christian Hilborn, Wazzu’s O-line has built a quiet tradition of loyalty through coaching changes and roster turnover. Martin looks like the next in that line.
And while he’s still new to the spotlight, he’s already embracing the leadership baton being handed down.
Thrown Into the Fire, Ready for the Moment
Martin’s journey to this point hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been steady. He walked on in 2023 and earned a scholarship from then-head coach Jimmy Rogers before the second Oregon State game.
His first real action came earlier this season in the opener - ironically, also against Oregon State - when Dieu went down with an injury. Martin was tossed into the fire, and while the game had its bumps, the experience lit a spark.
Dieu returned the following week, but when he re-injured himself against James Madison, Martin was back in. By the time the regular season finale rolled around - again against Oregon State - Martin was the starter.
Now, with Dieu still sidelined and using a scooter, Martin is expected to start in the bowl game. It’s not the way he wanted to earn his reps, but he’s making the most of it.
"The last way I want to get reps is through having one of my mentors get hurt," Martin said. "But I feel like when you have a guy like that ahead of you, he kind of prepares you to be ready and stay ready. If you kind of follow the way he leads and the way he trains, you're able to be ready when your name is called."
That mindset - stay ready, stay loyal - is exactly what Washington State has come to expect from its offensive line. And Martin, despite limited experience, is already showing signs he belongs in that lineage.
A New Coach, A New Chapter
There’s also a new voice at the top of the program in Kirby Moore, and Martin’s early impressions are positive.
"He's a great guy," Martin said. "Nothing bad to say about him.
Talked with him a little bit here and there. He's still kind of getting acclimated to the system and kind of trying to get his head around.
And yeah, it's been good."
That’s the type of response you’d expect from a player who’s seen change before and isn’t flinching. Moore inherits a team that’s had its fair share of transition, but players like Martin - who’ve bought in, stuck around, and earned their way - are the kind of foundational pieces coaches need when building a new era.
The Numbers Behind the Growth
According to Pro Football Focus, Martin has logged 143 snaps across three games this season. His debut against Oregon State was a trial by fire, but he bounced back in a big way.
In his next two appearances - at James Madison and again vs. Oregon State in Pullman - he didn’t allow a single pressure.
That’s a strong sign of development, especially for a young center stepping into a high-responsibility role.
And while his on-field reps are still limited, the intangibles - the loyalty, the preparation, the leadership - are already showing up.
Wednesday marked Martin’s first official media availability since joining the program. It likely won’t be his last. If his trajectory continues, he’s poised to become a fixture in the middle of Washington State’s offensive line - and a leader in the locker room.
For now, he’s focused on the bowl game. But if you’re looking for a player who embodies what it means to be a Coug - steady, selfless, and ready when called - Kyle Martin fits the mold.