Vanderbilt’s Martel Hight Set to Play All Three Phases in 2025

Vanderbilt’s Martel Hight Set to Play All Three Phases in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

ATLANTA — Martel Hight emerged as a bright spot last season on the best Vanderbilt football team in over a decade. The sophomore defensive back became a full-time starter and a dynamic special teams threat, earning All-SEC honors as a return specialist.

His inspiration? “I watched De'Anthony Thomas' and Tavon Austin's college highlights,” Hight said on Monday at SEC media days. “And I kind of just replicated my game after them.”

Thomas’ and Austin’s highlight reels are the stuff of legend, garnering millions of views on YouTube. Hight was apparently among those studying up on Thomas, who starred at Oregon from 2011-13, and Austin, a West Virginia standout from 2009-12. They both wowed audiences beyond their respective fan bases with their return skills, blazing speed and unique movement — they evidently inspired the next generation of returners, too.

Hight led the SEC in punt return average in 2024 and returned one for a touchdown. The Commodores boasted one of the best special teams units in the country last year on their way to a 7-6 season — the program’s first with a winning record since 2013 — highlighted by an upset of top-ranked Alabama. With Hight and kicker Brock Taylor both back, Vanderbilt should again excel on that front as the team looks to continue its upward momentum.

A preseason Athlon Sports All-SEC Selection, Hight’s dynamism stands to grow even more this season as he assumes a role on offense at wide receiver. That dual-threat potential evokes the role of a more recent college football legend.

Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy a season ago for his play at wide receiver and defensive back at Colorado. Growing up in Georgia, Hight said he played against Hunter in high school.

“I didn't think it was actually possible to actually do it because of rules, but once I seen Travis do it, I was like, ‘Hey, coach, let me do that,’” Hight said. “And he kind of gave me the shot at it. We'll see how it plays out.”

In preparation for his role playing all three phases, Hight said his primary focus has been on staying healthy as his snap count rises. He also said he’s working overtime in the film room to stay sharp on plays and formations on both sides of the ball.

Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea called Hight “a special player, but more importantly a special person.”

“Martel is a guy that has established himself as a playmaker on the field,” Lea said. “His growth mirrors our program's growth.”

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.