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Tristan Martinez is a member of the Clemson Tigers football team.
The former ‘Iolani wide receiver and punt returner walked on and is listed as a freshman on the team’s roster.
The son of former Moanalua and Kaiser coach and radio analyst Arnold Martinez, Tristan was part of the Raiders squad that went 11-0 in 2021 and defeated Lahainaluna 38-0 for the state Division I (middle tier) championship.
Altogether in his high school career through the 2022 season, Martinez had 716 yards receiving on 71 catches and six touchdowns. He also returned 15 punts for 340 yards, including a 52-yard TD return.
In that title game against Lahainaluna, Martinez — who, along with all Hawaii players, missed the 2020 (his sophomore year) season because of the pandemic — scored a 22-yard rushing touchdown and caught three passes for 31 yards.
Martinez was busy in high school. He made the honor roll every year, was a sprinter in track and field, and was part of ‘Iolani’s History Bowl state championship team that competed in the National History Bowl in Washington, D.C. the last two years.
On the Clemson roster, Martinez is listed as a 5 foot 9, 175-pound receiver wearing jersey No. 86.
Here is a tweet by Martinez after learning he was going to walk on and play for Clemson.
I’m excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at Clemson University! Thank you Coach Swinney, Coach Sorrells, and Coach Grisham for blessing me with this opportunity. I’m #Allin! pic.twitter.com/uFa0KkPQhg
— Tristan Martinez ✞ (@tristan_m19) January 17, 2023
In the summer of 2022, Martinez attended a Clemson camp and that led to the interest from coach Dabo Swinney.
Here is a tweet by Martinez with some impressive footage from that camp:
Had an amazing experience at the 2022 Clemson FB camp. Thank you Coach Swinney and @Coach_Grisham for helping me become a better football player. #ALLIN🧡💜 pic.twitter.com/pxwMXhzDvP
— Tristan Martinez ✞ (@tristan_m19) June 28, 2022
Clemson opens its season Sept. 4 at Duke. The Tigers went 11-3, finished No. 13 in the Associated Press Top 25, and lost to Tennessee 31-14 in the Orange Bowl.
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