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OK what is the deal with this kid. He seems to be flying under the radar of the recruiting services but I can't understand it. He is finally listed in the Rivals Database has having "High Interest" in SMU with nobody else listed. DMN stat board says he has 1807 yards rushing on 186 attempts and 23 TDs which is approaching 10 yards per rush. (I assume that includes playoffs?). He also has 16 catches for 288 yards and 2 TDs and outstanding 18 ypc. He lead Allen yesterday to a victory over Leander 49-35 in the 4th round of the playoffs in which he had 229 yards rushing on only 23 rushes(10.0 per attempt) with 2 TDs. In 4 playoff games he has 605 yards rushing and 8 TDs. I've seen him numerous times in highlites throughout the season and he appears to be a very althletic kid with reportedly decent size 6-1,195 4.5. Do what's the catch-does he have academic issues?

<small>[ 12-07-2003, 01:29 PM: Message edited by: Stallion ]</small>

There was some RB from that area (Allen, McKinney, Frisco - somewhere up there) who supposedly is a very talented RB that has scared off schools because a history of injury problems. Based on the stats you list, though, I'd assume this is not that guy.

23 TDs and 10 yards per carry are phenomenal numbers. And it's not like this kid is playing against small-time competition. If he does have a history of injuries, those numbers indicate to me that he's past the injuries. Well past them.

You're right, Martin is one of the most mysterious cases in this year's recruiting race. Here's a guy who has good size (I have him at 6-0, 190) and I think that 4.5 is real -- that's the number I have on him, too. He runs a little upright for my taste, kind of like Eric Dickerson's style, but he's amazingly fluid. He when he turns the corner on a pitch, he looks like a small forward getting out on the wing for a fast break. He showed soft hands as a receiver on the limiter number of throws that went his way, and he's pretty durable -- to the best of my knowledge, he has no history of serious injuries. Despite his listed weight, he is extremely slender, and might well grow into a 220-pound back. He's very adept at getting his shoulders square (toward the line of scrimmage) and when he sees a hole, he accelerates very quickly -- with the proposed added weight, he might look like a poor man's Eddie George. SMU already has some talented RBs, but this should be a no-brainer offer. If need be, you find another place to get a great athlete on the field, and Martin is a pretty good one.

I've been to every Allen game. What's amazing is that he didn't even start the first couple of games. He played a little last year.

This kid has more heart and athletic ability then most. Unless he runs into a pile with no room to run, I haven't seen him brought down on the first hit yet this year. And he has run over defensive players more than once as they are trying to tackle him. He has hurdled over would be tacklers. And this past game, the opposing defense underestimated his speed and he got outside more than once for long gains down the sideline

He is every bit 6' 1" and a very muscular 190-195. After home games that Allen wins, they have a pep rally. I talked to him after the McKinney game, and he had his shirt off. Very polite and he is not skinny by any means.

He does run straight up and down, but as hard as he hits would be tacklers, I think he could play safety.

Hate to see him end up at North Texas or somewhere else.

BTW to those NOT PAYING ATTENTION Martin would be the teammate of Allen Junior DT Marcus Shavers the good friend of Chris Hall who indicated that he might accept an early offer from SMU as well for 2005. I trust Shavers must have had an outstanding year as well?

I heard he did, although I don't have any tackles/sacks numbers. I did here, however, that he's gotten significantly heavier -- no small feat during the season, when players generally run off weight. Sounds to me like he's growing into his frame.

It looks like Martin isn't exactly going unnoticed. Rivals.com says the schools in the running for his services include Baylor, Texas A&M, New Mexico St., SMU, TCU and Tulsa.

TheInsiders.com says he also has interest in Texas and Texas Tech, and says that SMU, TCU, New Mexico State and Tulsa have offered a scholarship. It says he has no scheduled visits.

The site includes the following bio:

"Martin, a bit of an unknown to recruitniks largely due to him being MIA his junior season of play, is flat out ripping it up in the Lone Star State's 5A playoffs.

This kid' stock is rising faster than you can shake a stick after gaining the eye of college coaching staff's with incredible numbers throughout the playoffs in the state's largest classification.

College recruiters have taken notice as Martin isn't expected to have any problems qualifying."

Originally posted by Stallion:
BTW to those NOT PAYING ATTENTION Martin would be the teammate of Allen Junior DT Marcus Shavers the good friend of Chris Hall who indicated that he might accept an early offer from SMU as well for 2005. I trust Shavers must have had an outstanding year as well?

He is also the teammate of Nate Cook. The one Marcus posted last year that we should sign. Nate committed to Baylor.

Nate Cook saved the Allen game with an unbelievable snag over a defender for a 52 yard gain.

Marcus Shavers is very emotional player. And is pretty built considering he is a junior. I don't think he has gotten any bigger since the beginning of the year. They rotate the DL, so he doesn't play all the time. Made some good plays, and has been taken out due to some poor plays.

Definately has the size and strength to play D1

....both Rivals and the Insiders finally got on the ball with Martin yesterday. Apparently, an SMU-TCU battle(according to his own quote on the Insiders) with the Aggies and possibily any number of top programs making late pushes. He's now being considered as a Top 100 caliber recruit. Let me be the first to propose a Second Generation M&M-Massey & Martin.