Quan Martin has no shortage of traits that make him unique. His 44-inch vertical jump was the best among the hundreds of players at the NFL Combine, and his versatility ensures that he can succeed at any spot on the field.
Martin's skill with a set of clippers probably wasn't in the Washington Commanders' evaluation of him leading up to the NFL draft, but it might add to his value in the locker room.
Whenever he wasn't helping shut down offenses as a part of the University of Illinois' dominant secondary, Martin was giving his teammates fresh cuts as the Fighting Illini's unofficial team barber. So, when the Commanders used their second-round pick on the All-Big 10 defensive back, they weren't just getting a player who could elevate their defense; they were also adding some who could add some style to the roster.
"It's been three years, and I haven't paid for a haircut," Martin told former Washington cornerback Fred Smoot.
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 started back in 2020, when the world was almost entirely shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like plenty of other people, Martin needed something to fill his time. While others invested more of their energy into their old hobbies, Martin decided to try something new: cutting people's hair.
So, where does someone go to learn a new skill when they're confined to their room? The same place they go under normal circumstances: YouTube.
After watching several tutorials and other videos, Martin felt confident enough to give it a try on his own hair. It was a low-risk situation for him. If the results were good enough, it gave him a chance to show off his new talents, and hey, if he still needed to improve, it would grow back. Plus, it's not like there were many social events for him to attend.
Martin continued cutting his own hair for about a year. Then, he moved on to his roommate. That led to his teammates letting him cut his hair, and of course Martin got the chance to show off the new looks on his Instagram.
You can check out out the results on Martin's page: j.21.martin
For Martin and the rest of the Commanders' rookies, fitting into the locker room is almost as important as finding a role on the field. Comradery is a big part of any locker room, and just as he has done in practice, Martin has a skill that can make him stand out during his first year.
If Martin's new teammates are seeking a new look, they know where to go.
"Oh yeah, man, as much as I can," Martin said when asked about whether he hopes to keep cutting hair.
