SPEARFISH (AP) -- Former Spearfish High School and Rice University standout punter Kyle Martens has signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers.
Martens holds the single-season and career punting records at Rice. He was a three-time candidate for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation's top punter, but no NFL team drafted him.
Martens tells the Black Hills Pioneer that the Chargers offer was a surprise. He had worked out for several teams but San Diego had not been one of them. He reports to rookie camp May 11.
Another South Dakotan, Riley Reiff of Parkston, was drafted by the Detroit Lions after a stellar career on Iowa's offensive line. The Washington Redskins drafted University of South Dakota offensive tackle Tom Compton, a native of Rosemount, Minn.
