SLIPPERY ROCK — Marcus Martin is at it again.

The Slippery Rock University senior defensive end added to his growing list of postseason awards Wednesday by being named the NCAA Division II Ron Lenz National Defensive Player of the Year.

He also became the only player in the nation to be named to the Division II All-America team four times in his career.

“This means a lot to me. One of my goals was to get this award,” Martin admitted. “Making All-America is a tremendous honor in itself because it means you're one of the best.

“Getting this award symbolizes the best of the best.”

The Rock landed two players on the All-America squad as senior wide receiver Marcus Johnson made second team.

“I'm running out of things to say about Marcus Martin,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “If there's ever been a more decorated player in Division II, I'd like to see who it is.”

Martin is also a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which will be announced this weekend. That goes to the best football player in Division II. He is the first defensive player nominated for the Harlon Hill since 2007. Only one defensive player has ever won it.

“I wouldn't be surprised if he got it,” Lutz said. I mean ... what's next?”

Martin led the nation with 15.5 quarterback sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss this season despite being the only returning starter on SRU's defense. That unit featured 16 players who made their first collegiate starts during the 2017 season.

Martin said playing with inexperienced teammates actually helped him.

“When you're on the field with younger players, they tend to stay focused on doing their job, doing what they're supposed to do,” Martin said. “It enabled me to be a little more selfish and explore opportunities to make big plays.”

Martin became college football's all-time sack leader late in the season. He will be playing in the East-West Shrine Game Jan. 20 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

He had originally committed to the NFLPA game in the Rose Bowl on the same day.

“They present the Gene Uphaw Award at halftime of the East-West Game,” Martin said. “I didn't want to be disrespectful and not be there.”

Martin was named the Upshaw Award winner as Division II's best lineman earlier this off-season.

Johnson caught 72 passes for 1,214 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He broke SRU's career record with 28 TD catches and set the school's single-season all-purpose yardage record with 1,993 yards.

He scored three touchdowns on special teams as well.

“It's crazy, what he did this year,” Lutz said of Johnson. “Like Marcus Martin, he could get a shot at the NFL, too.”

So could senior offensive lineman Ian Park, a transfer from Northwestern.

“Getting three of our players in NFL camps at the same time would be great for this university and would definitely help recruiting,” Lutz said.

Martin said he's not surprised Johnson made All-America and believes quarterback Tanner Garry — the second-leading passer in Division II this year — should have gotten there as well.

“That was the best quarterback-receiver tandem I've played with,” he said. “If Tanner was here four years, he'd have been a multi-time All-American.

“Marcus Johnson truly deserves this. I'm proud of him.”

Garry played only one year at The Rock. SRU finished 8-3 this season and its senior class compiled a 36-12 record with two PSAC titles and two national playoff appearances over the past four years.

Here is a look at Slippery Rock University defensive end Marcus Martin’s postseason honors:- Division II Ron Lenz National Defensive Player of Year- Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of Year- Super Region One Defensive Player of Year- PSAC West Defensive Player of Year- Ted Hendricks Award runner-up, best defensive end in ciuntry, all levels- Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, best Div. II player in country- Academic All-American- National Football Foundation Campbell Award finalist