Davontavean Martin Bio
Davontavean Martin (born December 14, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Houma, Louisiana, Martin had a notable collegiate career playing for both the Washington State Cougars and the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 2022. Throughout his professional career, Martin has been a member of several organizations including the Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders, and Columbus Aviators before joining the Detroit Lions.
Early Life and Background
Martin was born on December 14, 1997, in Houma, Louisiana, a city located in Terrebonne Parish along the Gulf Coast region. He attended Ellender Memorial High School in Houma, where he began developing the athletic skills that would later carry him to the collegiate and professional levels. His upbringing in south Louisiana provided opportunities for him to compete at the high school level while being exposed to the rich football culture of the region.
Path to Professional Football
After graduating from Ellender Memorial High School, Martin continued his football journey at the collegiate level. He initially played for the Washington State Cougars from 2017 to 2019, competing in the Pac-12 Conference. Seeking new opportunities, Martin transferred to Oklahoma State University, where he played for the Oklahoma State Cowboys from 2020 to 2021. His senior season with Oklahoma State proved to be his most accomplished, as he earned Second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2021, demonstrating his growth as a receiver and his ability to compete against top collegiate competition.
Davontavean Martin Career
San Francisco 49ers (2022–2024)
On April 30, 2022, Martin signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent following the NFL draft. He was released during final roster cutdowns on August 30 but was quickly signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. Martin signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers on January 31, 2023, securing his place with the organization for the 2023 season. On August 29, 2023, he was waived and re-signed to the practice squad once again, eventually signing another reserve/future contract on February 13, 2024. Martin went through the roster cutdown process again in August 2024 before being released from the practice squad on September 3, 2024. During his time with the 49ers organization, Martin developed his craft while waiting for his opportunity to contribute on the active roster.
Tennessee Titans (2024)
Martin signed with the Tennessee Titans practice squad on September 10, 2024. His dedication paid off when he was promoted to the active roster on January 4, 2025. In the Week 18 loss to the Houston Texans, Martin made his first career NFL reception on a 49-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Will Levis. This milestone moment represented the culmination of his journey from undrafted free agent to seeing meaningful game action in the NFL. On May 7, 2025, Martin was waived/injured by the Titans and reverted to injured reserve the following day before being waived again on May 14.
Washington Commanders (2025)
Martin signed with the Washington Commanders on July 23, 2025, but was released on August 26. He re-signed with their practice squad on September 16 and was elevated to the active roster for Weeks 4, 5, and 6 of the 2025 season. His brief stints on the active roster demonstrated his ability to step up when called upon. He was eventually released from the practice squad on October 17, continuing his journey through the league.
Columbus Aviators and Detroit Lions (2026)
On January 14, 2026, Martin was selected by the Columbus Aviators of the United Football League (UFL), providing him with another opportunity to showcase his talents in a professional football league. His career trajectory continued on June 16, 2026, when he signed with the Detroit Lions, joining the organization’s roster and continuing his professional football career.
Playing Style and Strengths
Martin brings solid size at 6 feet 1 inch and 184 pounds to the wide receiver position. His collegiate career at two Power Five programs, Washington State and Oklahoma State, provided him with experience running diverse passing offenses and facing high-level competition. His ability to make plays in the passing game was evident during his time at Oklahoma State, where his Second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2021 highlighted his reliability as a target. His first career reception resulting in a 49-yard touchdown demonstrated his big-play ability when given the opportunity.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant milestone in Martin’s early NFL career came in Week 18 of the 2024 season when he recorded his first career reception and touchdown with the Tennessee Titans. The 49-yard touchdown pass from Will Levis represented the breakthrough moment he had been working toward since entering the league as an undrafted free agent. His journey through multiple organizations reflects the perseverance required for players who do not receive the spotlight of being drafted but continue to pursue their NFL dreams.
Davontavean Martin Career Statistics
Through the 2025 NFL season, Martin had appeared in limited game action while continuing to develop and wait for opportunities to contribute. His career statistics reflect the challenging path faced by undrafted players working to establish themselves in the league.
NFL Career Statistics
Martin appeared in games with the Tennessee Titans during the 2024 season, recording his first career reception and touchdown. His career totals as of the 2025 season include 3 receptions for 72 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown. These modest statistics represent the foundation upon which he continues to build as he seeks more consistent opportunities at the professional level.
| Season | Team | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Tennessee Titans | 3 | 72 | 1 |
Davontavean Martin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Martin was born and raised in Houma, Louisiana, where he attended local schools and developed his athletic abilities. His family background includes his roots in the Louisiana bayou region, though specific details about his parents and family lineage are not extensively documented in public sources.
Personal Life
Martin is a father to a daughter. While he maintains a relatively private personal life away from the football field, his role as a parent adds another dimension to his life as he continues pursuing his professional football career. He continues to work toward his goals in the NFL while balancing his responsibilities as a parent.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition for Martin as he navigated through the roster landscape of the NFL. After his time with the Tennessee Titans concluded, Martin joined the Washington Commanders in July 2025. His tenure with the Commanders included a brief stint on the active roster during Weeks 4, 5, and 6, where he had opportunities to compete for playing time. Despite being released from the Commanders practice squad in October, Martin demonstrated resilience in continuing to pursue his professional football career. His journey through multiple teams during the 2025 season highlighted the competitive nature of the NFL and the perseverance required for players to maintain their roster spots. The experience gained from these opportunities contributed to his continued development as he worked toward establishing a more permanent role in the league.