Kamal Martin

Kamal Adrian Martin (born June 17, 1998) is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Minnesota, and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He also played for the Carolina Panthers.

Early years
Martin was born and grew up in Burnsville, Minnesota and attended Burnsville High School, where he played quarterback and safety on the football team. He was named first-team All-State by the Associated Press as an all-purpose performer after completing 63 of 117 passes for 877 yards and nine touchdowns with one interception and rushing 400 yards and eight touchdowns on offense and recording 79 tackles, two forced fumbles, one interception and 13 pass breakups on defense.

College career
Martin played mostly as a reserve linebacker as a freshman, playing in all 13 of Minnesota's games with one start and 10 tackles and one interception. He became a starter going into his sophomore season and finished the year with 42 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, one interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. As a junior he made 59 tackles, including tackles 3.5 for loss, and two passes broken up in twelve games but did not play in the team's bowl game due to a violation of team rules. Martin's senior season was cut short after eight games due to injury, but he was named honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference after making 66 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.

Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers selected Martin in the fifth round (175th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He signed his rookie contract on July 9, 2020. On September 2, 2020, it was reported that Martin had undergone surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee and would be out for at least six weeks. The Packers placed him on injured reserve on September 7. The Packers activated him off injured reserve on October 24, 2020. He made his NFL debut the following day against the Houston Texans, recording six solo tackles (including one for loss) during the 35–20 victory. Martin was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on November 3, 2020, and activated six days later. On November 29, 2020, Martin recorded his first career sack on Mitchell Trubisky during a Week 12 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football.

On August 23, 2021, Martin was released by the Packers.

Carolina Panthers
On September 10, 2021, Martin was signed to the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers. He was promoted to the active roster on October 4, 2021. He was waived on August 14, 2022, and was placed on injured reserve the next day. He was released on August 20.