Former WVU DB who departed roster with controversy thanks the program, declares for NFL Draft

A West Virginia native and former Mountaineer defensive back who left the program amidst controversy publicly thanked the WVU program on social media Monday after drawing attention for including the Mountaineers in his declaration for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Charleston, W.Va native and Capital High School alum Kerry “KJ” Martin Jr. played for the Mountaineers from 2019-2021, and was the center of a coaching controversy in Morgantown during the summer of 2020 when he made accusations that then-defensive coordinator Vic Koenning was proselytizing players and had repeatedly made remarks considered disparaging towards racial justice protestors and mentally disabled folks.

Koenning was placed on leave before being dismissed from the program. Martin, who tallied 50 tackles and 5 pass deflections as a true freshman for WVU in 2019, then proceeded to sit out the season due to health concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and recorded just three tackles in 2021 before deciding to leave the program.

Martin then transferred to Akron where he spent two seasons and recorded 98 tackles, 7 pass deflections, and 3 interceptions during his time with the program. He spent his final year of eligibility in 2024 with NC State, where he tallied 10 tackles and 1 pass deflection.

He listed WVU amongst his former programs on Monday when declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, which drew attention from the WVU fanbase. He took the attention he received as an opportunity to make sure that Mountaineer Nation knew that he was thankful for his time in Morgantown despite the rough ending.

"Praise be to God I was still given the opportunity to represent my home state, work towards a degree and showcase myself as an athlete,” Martin posted. “WVU was apart of my journey and helped mold me. I still appreciate everything that was done for me by the staff during my time at WVU.”