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A year ago, Charly Martin was at West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas, preparing for an NCAA Division II playoff game against Central Washington.
Tonight, Martin might be in uniform for the Carolina Panthers in a nationally televised game against the Miami Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium.
Martin is the newest Panther, a receiver signed off the team's practice squad earlier this week to take the roster spot of left tackle Jordan Gross, who is out for the season with a broken ankle.
"A lot of guys say it," said Martin, "but this is truly a dream."
Few players have made it to the NFL the way Martin - a 25-year-old rookie - did. Originally planning to try out at Washington State as a walk-on, he drew attention of West Texas A&M late in his senior year in high school.
A&M offered him some money - $500 for books. Martin took the offer.
After a redshirt freshman season, Martin hurt his shoulder as a sophomore. When he returned to training camp as a junior, he was fifth on the team's depth chart.
Martin became the starter, then started setting records. He had 95 receptions for 1,867 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior, including a Division II-postseason record 343 yards against Abilene Christian.
"I don't know if it was that exact game, but I agree that it helps for a small-school guy to put up numbers," Martin said.
Although he wasn't drafted last spring, he signed as a rookie free agent with the San Diego Chargers. He caught seven passes for 88 yards and returned three kickoffs for 24-yard average in the preseason before the Chargers cut him before the regular season began.
The Panthers signed him to their practice squad, which is where he's been until Tuesday.
It's not known whether he'll be active tonight, although he said Wednesday, "It's looking like I'll have a pretty good role on special teams."
Briefly
Defensive end Charles Johnson missed another day of practice with a pectoral injury Wednesday and has been listed as doubtful for tonight.
Safety Charles Godfrey and fullback Brad Hoover, who both continue to recover from ankle injuries, also missed practice and are doubtful.
Running back DeAngelo Williams didn't practice and is listed as questionable. But coach John Fox said Williams was just resting. Running back Jonathan Stewart (Achilles) and defensive tackle Damione Lewis (shoulder) practiced and are also questionable.
Defensive end Julius Peppers isn't wearing a cast on his right hand any longer.
He played primarily on passing downs on Sunday against Atlanta because of an apparent broken hand.
He has practiced all week and isn't on the Panthers injury report for the Dolphins.
