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Seven Things We've Learned About Wes Martin

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As players take their final breaks before training camp, Redskins.com will take a deeper look at the new faces from this offseason and what we've learned about them -- football and otherwise -- so far.

Next up is fourth-round offensive lineman Wes Martin.

1. Martin was a two-year captain at Indiana.

Martin was an all-around contributor for the Hoosiers, playing 50-career games at left guard and starting the final 37 games of his career. He's one of four Indiana players to appear in at least 50-career games.

In addition, Martin was a 24-game captain, a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and earned Indiana's Chris Dal Sasso Award, given annually to the team's "outstanding lineman."

2. Martin does not allow sacks.

As a redshirt junior in 2017, Martin recorded the most pass-blocking snaps in the nation without allowing a sack (569), helping Indiana finish third in the Big Ten in passing offense that season.

Expanding the scope, Martin allowed just two sacks over his final 1,469 snaps, which was first among all collegiate guards.

3. Martin has a soft spot for animals.

Martin describes himself as an avid dog lover, as he owns two. Martin and his mom, Rhonda, started a dog rescue called Brave Breed Rescue last year. The organization is located just outside Martin's hometown of West Milton, Ohio.

Its mission, as listed on its website, is "to not only provide sanctuary for the at risk animals that we rescue, but behaviorally prepare them to find their forever home and forever family."

"My mom, her whole life has been rescuing dogs and rehoming dogs," Martin said. "It got to a point last year where I didn't have as much coursework left, so I had a lot of free time. So, if I wasn't doing football then I needed something else, so I decided to start a nonprofit."

Martin increased awareness for his organization during his Pro Day in April when he used various drills to fundraise. Supporters signed pledges for each bench press he completed, totaling almost $1,400 in one day after he performed 38 reps.

"I hope to save as many [dogs] as I can."

4. The car Martin drives has come under jovial scrutiny.

Martin, who is 6-foot-3 and weighs roughly 311 pounds, drives a small 2000 GMC Sonoma. He wants to switch cars now that he signed his rookie contract. He's had his car since high school, racking up 200,000 miles on it.

"Everyone says I look like a gorilla driving a tricycle, so it is tiny but it keeps driving, so I can't complain too much," Martin said. "But I'd like to buy a new pickup truck if I can."

5. Martin is a "country boy" with strong hometown roots.

Martin was raised on a farm in West Milton, Ohio. He baled hay and performed other farm work. Though he's farther from the farm life now, he's remained involved with his community.

Beginning on Memorial Day, 16 tornadoes ran through the Miami Valley area. Two of those tornadoes hit Martin's hometown of West Milton.

"It was really hard to see the devastation and destruction from afar, having not been able to be there," said Martin in an Instagram story.

He started a disaster relief fund in June in conjunction with the American Red Cross titled "Midwest Tornado Relief," and he began the fundraising by donating $500.

6. Head coach Jay Gruden praised Martin's intelligence.

Gruden understands that rookie offensive linemen do not have it easy. From schemes to formations to assignments, there's a lot to learn.

However, Gruden is confident in Martin's abilities to grasp everything the Redskins throw at him.

"I think mentally he's a very, very bright guy," Gruden said. "I just think he has to continue to work on his fundamentals, and he'll be fine. I like where he's at."

7. Martin is used to being overlooked but believes his work ethic will take him far.

Martin was one of two Redskins' draft picks who did not receive an invitation to the combine (linebacker Cole Holcomb was the other).

"There were a lot of people that didn't even have me on their list heading into the draft," Martin said the day he got drafted. "So being able to show up and show everything I could do would be a good redemption."

Despite not being invited, Martin still had an opportunity during Pro Day to showcase his skills. While he's happy where he landed, he's no stranger to being counted out.

Martin describes himself as a "blue-collar guy that's going to show up every day, do all the little things right, be consistent in his play and push people to the ground."

More from the "Seven Things We've Learned" series:

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