Many players aspire to be versatile so they can help their team in any way possible, but the reality is that not everyone has the skill set to handle multiple positions.
That's why Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry sees Quan Martin as such a unique commodity.
"I've never had a player like him ever," Henry said.
It's hard to stand out in a secondary as talented as the one Illinois boasted last year. The Illini allowed the eighth fewest passing yards in college football, and three of the key players in that defensive back group -- Martin, Devon Witherspoon and Sydney Brown -- were taken in the first three rounds of the NFL draft.
Illinois likes to say they recruit players as defensive backs and find out where they fit later. Witherspoon, cornerback, and Brown, safety, both had more established positions last year and didn't deviate from them as often. Martin, however, was moved all around Illinois defensive backfield with snaps at wide corner, slot corner and safety among several others.
His ability to thrive at all of them is what makes him so special.
"There's not much that he can't do," Henry said. "I've been doing this for 12 years. I have never had a defensive back as versatile as him."
Martin started out as a corner for the Illini back he committed to the program as a three-star recruit, but versatility has always been a part of his skill set. Even when he was primarily a wide corner back in 2018 and 2019, he still saw snaps in the slot, near the box and at free safety.
Illinois' willingness to move Martin around the defense reached its apex in 2022. The majority of his snaps came in the slot, but 177 of his 786 total snaps came at free safety. He also lined up in the box (44 snaps) and out wide (73 snaps).
What that gave Illinois is more freedom with their personnel.
"On certain personnel grouping, he went to free [safety] and certain personnel groupings, he went to nickel," Henry said. "When you have a guy that's so versatile on the field, teams don't know what subgroup you're in. He can go from covering a slot receiver to a tight end."
Check out the top photos of the Commanders' newest defensive back, Quan Martin, during his college career at Illinois (via The Associated Press)
Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin (21) during an NCAA football game against Connecticut on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Penn State tight end Theo Johnson (84) catches a pass in front of Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin (21) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Indiana wide receiver Emery Simmons (0) is hit by Illinois defensive backs Jartavius Martin (21) and Kendall Smith (7) during an NCAA football game on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in West Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Purdue running back Devin Mockobee stretches out over the goal line for a touchdown as Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Mississippi State wide receiver Justin Robinson (18) pulls in an eight-yard touchdown reception in front ofIllinois defensive back Jartavius Martin during the second half of the ReliaQuest Bowl NCAA college football game Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim carries the ball as Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin (21) and Kendall Smith come from behind for the tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Illinois' Jartavius Martin (21) bats down a pass intended for Nebraska's Chancellor Brewington (82) as Illinois linebacker Calvin Hart Jr. (5) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Illinois defeated Nebraska 26-9. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Illinois' Jartavius Martin (21) bats down a pass intended for Nebraska's Chancellor Brewington (82) as Illinois linebacker Calvin Hart Jr. (5) stands guard during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Illinois defeated Nebraska 26-9. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan runs for a touchdown as Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin (21) incepts a pass intended for Northwestern wide receiver Will Lansbury during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Nebraska's Dedrick Mills (26) is brought down by Illinois' Jartavius Martin (21) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin (21) during an NCAA football game against Connecticut on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin (21) breaks up a pass intended for Iowa wide receiver Nico Ragaini (89) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 33-23. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin (21) breaks up a pass intended for Maryland wide receiver Rakim Jarrett during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Maryland won 20-17. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Purdue wide receiver Isaac Zico, left, runs the ball as Illinois' Jartavius Martin (21) and Kerby Joseph (26) attempt the tackle in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Connecticut wide receiver Matt Drayton (88) catches a pass over Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Nebraska's Alante Brown, right, catches a pass ahead of Illinois' Jartavius Martin during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin (21) intercepts a pass intended for Chattanooga wide receiver Tyron Arnett in the end zone during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Nebraska running back Devine Ozigbo (22) carries the ball between Illinois defensive backs Delano Ware (15) and Jartavius Martin (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Indiana wide receiver Emery Simmons (0) is hit by Illinois defensive backs Jartavius Martin (21) and Kendall Smith (7) during an NCAA football game on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in West Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
FILE - Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin (21) intercepts a pass from Minnesota backup quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis intended for wide receiver Michael Brown-Stephens, right, during an NCAA college football game Oct. 15, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. The Washington Commanders continued bolstering their secondary in the second round of the NFL draft Friday, April 28, taking Martin with the 47th pick. Martin, whose given name is Jartavius but prefers to go by Quan, was a five-year starter with the Illini. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
Penn State wide receiver Daniel George (11) attempts to catch a pass as Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin (21) defends during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
It also helped that Martin could handle any responsibility that his coaches threw at him. He could cover well enough, but Henry said he was also a "tremendous blitzer," and he was a solid tackler. Sometimes they could roll him to the post, but he could also cover the flat.
He's not linebacker, Henry said, but he's not a true defensive back, either. He can truly play anywhere, and that make him a problem for offenses.
"You got a guy like that on the football field, man, it opens up your playbook," Henry said.
It also helps that Martin prides himself on his knowledge of the game. He believes it allows him to compete at a high level because he is able to comprehend different points of view. It allows him to understand route concepts, especially in the slot.
"Just being able to play any position in the back end at any given moment in the game just shows my understanding of the game and my football IQ," Martin said.
Martin's combination of knowledge and athletic traits allows him to be what he needs to be on the field.
"I think it allows you to really come into your own at the NFL level," Henry said. "When I tell you his best days are ahead of him, that's truly what it is."
Martin got plenty of opportunities to show off his talents during OTAs and minicamp. He got reps with the starting defense during 11-on-11 drills, and plays like a deflection that led to an interception showed the difference he can make for the unit.
The fact that Martin is already creating a role for the Commanders doesn't surprise Henry at all.
"Once he steps on that field, he kind of transforms a little bit," Henry said.
