Mustangs Rookie Reece Martin Making Immediate Impact in Unbeaten Start

MONCTON, N.B. — Through three dominant weeks of the 2026 Maritime Football League season, the Moncton Mustangs have established themselves as the team to beat, and rookie defensive lineman Reece Martin has been at the heart of that early surge.

At 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds, the Harrison Trimble High School graduate has brought both size and experience to a Mustangs defense that has been nothing short of overwhelming. Moncton sits at 3-0 and alone in first place, outscoring opponents by a staggering margin with wins of 42-3, 48-0 and 48-0 heading into its final regular season game June 6 at Rocky Stone Field at 5 p.m.

Martin, born in 2000, has wasted no time making his presence felt. The former CFL draft pick and Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive lineman leads the Mustangs’ front with 15 tackles, four tackles for loss, and five sacks, consistently disrupting opposing offenses and setting a tone up front.

Head coach Corey Lirette has seen plenty of elite defensive talent over the years, but says Martin’s influence has gone well beyond the stat sheet.

“It’s been super awesome to see a guy who is definitely a preeminent player in a league like this be able to conform so naturally to our expectations and our standards while also actively raising those standards of the players around him so that’s really been cool to see a guy who has seen the big time in the CFL to be able to come here and play well as well as provide some knowledge to younger players,” Lirette said.

That blend of talent and leadership has helped reinforce a defensive identity that has long been a hallmark in Moncton. With Martin anchoring the line, the Mustangs have yet to concede a touchdown in their three games this season.

Lirette points to Martin’s approach off the field as equally important.

“Watching his professionalism week in and week out—the way he prepares, the way that he takes care of his body, the way that he does what’s expected of him in terms of playing the scheme and being a great teammate,” he said. “It’s over the years having consistently the top defense in the league, just to add another player like Reece to really elevate that while also watching him perform any duty that’s required of him, whether it’s inside or outside, and raising the standard of play of his teammates around him.”

For Martin, the journey back to playing in New Brunswick carries a deeper meaning. After reaching the CFL level, he understands how rare that opportunity is for local athletes.

“It’s uh I think it’s a big honor honestly, just because of how little representation New Brunswick really has in the CFL,” Martin said. “I felt like I was very fortunate and very appreciative to be able to be given that opportunity, and also be able to play alongside my university career guys like Dan Bell and Lucas Cormier, and they’re local town guys too, so it was kind of cool we got to go through that experience together.”

His time in professional football also reshaped his understanding of the game.

“I feel like whatever you think professional sports is while you’re growing up and watching on TV, you’re not really going to expect what you actually have to face—the business side of it,” he said. “It’s no longer just a game. It’s a business, and there’s a lot of money in it, and just the way everything works is on a completely different scale.”

Despite that intensity, Martin says one of the biggest lessons he learned—and now values most—is the importance of culture inside a locker room. It’s something he believes is directly tied to the Mustangs’ early success.

“I feel like team camaraderie is the big one,” he said. “I’ve been on a lot of good teams with good culture, and I kind of had the impression it wasn’t going to be the same in the CFL through training camp because it felt cutthroat. But once you’re actually on a team, it’s a great culture. And that’s why the Mustangs are doing so well right now—because there’s such a good culture, and you can trust the player next to you to do his job.”

That environment has also allowed Martin to rediscover a simpler joy in the game.

“Honestly I’d have to just say allowing me the freedom to just play football again for the love of the game,” he said. “There’s always that level at higher levels where everything is structured—film, lifts, recovery—but here guys are playing because they love the game. It’s kind of the best group of guys to be around, to be honest.”

Off the field, the season has been equally special for Martin for another reason: sharing it with family. For the first time since high school, he’s lining up alongside his brother Jackson.

“Being able to now, especially on such a good team as the Mustangs, it’s pretty sick—it makes the weekends pretty fun,” he said.

As for what comes next, Martin remains in a state of professional limbo, balancing his love for football with uncertainty about future CFL opportunities.

“I’m just going with the flow for these next couple months,” he said. “I’m going to keep my options open with the CFL and hopefully can get a call, but if not, I’m thinking I’m going to retire from the CFL officially and start to pursue my career in the RCMP.”

He admits the unpredictability of pro opportunities has made planning difficult.

“My agent will reach out with whispers here and there,” Martin said. “A lot of stuff just kind of fell through, so I’m holding out. But probably by the end of the summer, if I haven’t gotten a call, that might be curtains for that.”

In the meantime, he’s staying ready while juggling short-term work.

“I can’t really look for a long-term job either right now,” he said. “I’m doing a lot of odd jobs, day work, week work—just staying ready because they can call and I’ve got to be ready to go.”

Until that call comes, Martin is embracing every snap in Moncton—and making the most of the opportunity.

“I appreciate the Mustangs for just giving me the opportunity to play the game again, just because of the love of the game.”

With one regular season game remaining and momentum firmly on their side, the Mustangs—and their standout rookie defensive lineman—have already made a powerful statement.