Joining the Fray: Franklin Parish’s Trey Martin picks LSU

by William Weathers // GeauxPreps.com Contributor

Franklin Parish football coach Adrian Burnette felt like his four-star running back, Trey Martin, opted to run toward, not retreat, from the current cycle of running backs LSU has been able to attract.

The Tigers signed three running backs from the NCAA’s transfer portal, giving them a total of six players on their 2026 roster at that position.

“One thing we’ve talked about in our program is that iron sharpens iron,” Burnette said. “At the end of the day, if you’re going to get yourself better, you have to be around the best. You have to be willing to compete with the best. No matter which school he goes to, he’s never going to be the only five-star in the room. He’s never going to be the only All-American in the room. He’s never going to be the only potential first-round (NFL) draft pick in the room.

“No matter where he goes, when you’re talking about big-time college ball, SEC football, every one of these schools have the best of the best,” Burnette said. “He said he had a conference with (LSU head) coach (Lane) Kiffin and (running backs) coach (Kevin) Smith and said he was comfortable with the plan they laid out for him. He’s ready to get in there and compete.”

LSU’s current recruiting class, rated in the 50s two weeks ago, surged into the Top 10 at No. 9 according to On3 following Thursday’s haul of Martin, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, and four-star edge Chris Whitehead of Chesterfield, VA.

Martin released a video on social media in which he enjoyed Face-Time conversations with both Kiffin and Smith, both of whom recruited him last year when the two coaches were both at Ole Miss. There was also a caricature of Martin outside of a train station waiting to be picked up by the ‘Lane Train’.

“Trey said it just felt comfortable,” Burnette said. “It felt at home, and we’re excited about his commitment.”

Martin is the second player from Franklin Parish’s program in Winnsboro to select LSU in the past year. Cornerback Dez Ellis was part of the Tigers’ Class of 2026 in December.

“They had the option to go where they wanted,” Burnette said. 

LSU increased its commitment total to 13 in its current class. Three of those pledges have come from highly regarded running backs, three-star Brennan Lacy (5-11, 190) of Frisco, Texas, four-star Tre Segarra (5-10, 210) of Duncan, S.C., and now Martin.

Martin, an early graduate, is rated the nation’s No. 176 overall prospect, No. 11 running back, and No. 6 in Louisiana by On3. He selected the Tigers over Florida and Alabama.

“These guys don’t get to the level they are without being good recruiters and good coaches,” Burnette said of Alabama running back coach Robert Gillespie, Florida’s Chris Foster, Ole Miss’ Frank Wilson, and Smith. “I think equally, everyone did a phenomenal job and were respectful to my program, myself, Trey, and his family.

“They contacted him multiple times, they recruited him the way they were supposed to recruit him,” Burnette said. “I think at the end of the day, it’s a comfort level by Trey. Being a boot kid and wanting to stay inside of the state. I think that’s what ultimately made him pick LSU.”

Franklin Parish (9-3) went undefeated and won the District 2-4A championship. The Patriots (9-3) advanced to the Division II non-select regional round, where they were eliminated by Lutcher, 42-41.

Martin carried 115 times for 1,310 yards – 11.4 yards per carry – with 26 touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes for 277 yards (16 yards per catch) with five touchdowns.

He was the first team Class 4A All-State selection at running back and earned the District 2-4 Offensive MVP honor.

“I’ve tried to better myself as an offensive coordinator,” said Burnette, who played at Tulane. “Through this process, I’ve had the opportunity to sit down and talk ball, watch clips with different coordinators. I’ve been able to have multiple meetings with (LSU offensive coordinator) coach (Charlie) Weiss (Jr.). Our offenses, at their foundations, are very similar, especially with the use of the running back. 

“The hope is that Trey can take what he learned at Franklin Parish and allow it to translate to LSU,” Burnette said. “That’s another thing that intrigued him about LSU. The offense being so close to what he does in high school.”

The existing relationship Martin, who also had offers from Auburn and Ohio State, enjoyed with Kiffin and Smith from their time at Ole Miss gave him instant familiarity when the coaching pair took over at LSU in December.

“I think it worked itself out,” Burnette said. “When you’re in junior high, and you’re a real-life football player, a real-life athlete, it’s always natural that LSU’s your dream school. He had built a relationship with the coaching staff and had already been loving and leaning toward LSU. 

“When coach Kiffin and coach Smith came in, they didn’t have much to do as far as pulling in that direction,” Burnette said. “They just continued to sell themselves. As coaches, they continued to sell their vision in the program, and Trey fell in love with them.”