LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State's Tyler Martinez has garnered national attention as he was named to the HERO Sports Preseason Group of Five All-American Second Team Defense, the outlet announced Wednesday morning.

In total, the HERO Sports Preseason Group of Five All-American list includes 15 linebackers (five first team, five second team and five third team) representing 65 Group of Five programs.
 
Martinez returns for his third season at NM State and appears to be poised for another big year after starting all 12 games in 2024 and pacing the Aggies in total tackles with 96 a season ago. Last season, the Albuquerque, N.M., native also led the Aggies in solo tackles (47) and assisted tackles (49), while tallying 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack on his way to being named to the Second Team All-Conference USA Defense.
 
With nearly 100 tackles, Martinez ranked third among CUSA defenders in 2024 and will lead all returners across the league entering the 2025 campaign. As a junior, he averaged 8.0 tackles per game and notched double-digit tackles in three games, including a career-high 12 tackles against both New Mexico and LA Tech.
 
This marks Martinez's fourth preseason honor of the summer after also being named First Team Athlon Sports Preseason All-CUSA, First Team Phil Steele Preseason All-CUSA and landing on the CUSA Preseason Watch List.
 
Entering his final year with the program, Martinez serves as one of just three returning starters on the Aggie defense and one of 10 returning starters among offense, defense and special teams.
 
Martinez stands as one of just eight players across all 12 Conference USA programs to be recognized as a HERO Sports Preseason Group of Five All-American.
 
For complete coverage of the NM State football program, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Football), Twitter (@NMStateFootball) and Instagram (@NMStateFB).