Minnesota Football: Kamal Martin to forego Outback Bowl

Minnesota Golden Gophers linebacker Kamal Martin announced via Instagram that he will not participate in the upcoming Outback Bowl. Instead, he will begin preparing for the NFL Draft.

The Burnsville native started nine games for the Gophers this season, missing three due to injury, and finished second on the team in total tackles with 66, trailing only Antoine Winfield Jr. Martin was a member of the Empire Class at Minnesota and played in 46 games over the course of his career with the Gophers, racking up 177 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four interceptions, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.

Martin’s absence in the Outback Bowl will give Gopher fans a glimpse of next year, with sophomore Mariano Sori-Marin and redshirt freshman Braelen Oliver filling in for the senior linebacker, as they have when he was banged up earlier this season.