--Bunch of questions witth Martell Hughes (thesundevils.com/June 28, 2024)
--Getting to know: Martell Hughes (by Noah Furtado, 247Sports.com/Dec. 20, 2023)
2024 (FRESHMAN)
- One of very few true freshmen to see extended playing time for the Sun Devils in 2024, appearing in 13 games
- Earned the majority of his playing time on passing downs and on special teams, earning Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week recognition in the team's win over UCF
- Finished with 15 tackles on the season and played 138 snaps on defense, which was tied for the 12th-most among all Big 12 defenders and fourth among true freshmen linebackers in the league
- Recorded the third-best special teams score for a true freshman in the league at 73.3
- Hughes had a monstrous game on special teams against UCF, recording a punt block which was returned 46 yards for a touchdown by Montana Warren and then picking up an arguably even bigger play late in the first half when he made a tackle at the one-yard line on a botched kickoff return with under a minute remaining in the half ... Hughes would go on to keep the game from ending dramatically, making the final tackle of the contest before UCF could get out of bounds or pitch the ball around to seal the 35-31 win
HIGH SCHOOL
- Entered campus in spring of 2024 as a member of the prestigious Barrett, The Honors College
- A consensus three-star prospect by all major recruiting outlets, graded as a Top-150 safety in the nation by each… ESPN (No. 85) and 247Sports (No. 92) regard Hughes as a Top-100 player in the state of California… Will likely play linebacker for the Sun Devils
- Recorded 140 tackles in 24 career games with recorded stats from MaxPreps, including five sacks in seven games as a senior and recording five interceptions in those games with stats logged
- Saw spot duties on offense for Madison this season, lining up at quarterback, running back and wide receiver throughout the year
- Named by the San Diego Tribune as one of the Top-10 players in the San Diego area following his junior campaign