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Updated: June 14, 2006
Wilson leans on deep support groupBy Craig Haubert
Scouts Inc.
It has been an up-and-down couple of years for defensive end prospect Martez Wilson. After blossoming as a national prospect, his varsity head coach Alvin Scott lost his battle with cancer.
Despite that tragedy, the Simeon High (Chicago, Ill.) rising senior was able to focus last year under new head coach Jesse Chick and has people buzzing about his ability in a town where high school football can be overshadowed.
At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Wilson is an athletic talent with a great frame and wonderful upside. His 18 sacks last year are an indication of his ability to get after the quarterback, something that always opens up recruiters' eyes. He has attracted attention from schools all around the Midwest as well as from places like Southern Cal, Tennessee and Boston College.
"It's been more than I thought it would be," says Wilson. "I like it, though. I was hoping it would happen, and it did, and I am happy."
He started playing football in pads in the eighth grade, and his talent started to shine through the next year as a freshman. Paul Phillips, the freshman coach at the time, saw Wilson's ability and told him he could be the best if he just worked at it, advice Wilson heeded.
Wilson sits at 21 offers but has no favorites yet and is still wide open to the process. He is the first in his family to go through the process, though his father Michael Whitehead, other family members and his coaches provide a solid support group.
Eddie Whitehead, his uncle, or Phillips, who now coaches the offensive line, accompany him on his trips. Both have strong relationships with him and will play a role in his recruiting process.
He says of his uncle's involvement, "He supports me and knows I am on the right track right now, and he wants me to stay that way. He is really into it."
Wilson has had an opportunity to unofficially visit a handful of schools so far and hopes to get out to some more this summer.
As for what he's looking for, Wilson says, "First I look for the coaches' trust, then academics, as far as do they have my major, which is business or real estate, and I also look into the coach's prestige as far as is he a winning coach."
Another factor important to him is having the opportunity to play early -- Wilson wants to start as a true freshman.
"I want to be an immediate impact player, because I feel I have the ability to do that," Wilson said. While that is never an easy task, he says he has talked about it with his recruiters, and they all feel he has the ability to play as a freshman.
Wilson also has leaned on former Morgan Park quarterback Demetrius Jones, a former high school rival who signed with Notre Dame's 2006 class.
Wilson remembers Jones saying, "Stay humble, because now you are about to experience a whole new world. Keep your head above water."
Safe to say, he is taking his friend's advice seriously.
Wilson Q&A
Scouts Inc.: Who are your favorite players, and do you use their play as a model?
Wilson: Terrell Owens is my favorite, but I watch Simeon Rice and Jevon Kearse. I see similarities in our games -- we are all tall, have long arms, and we are athletic. They do everything well, so I like watching film of them and help myself get better.
Scouts Inc.: Goals for your senior season?
Wilson: For the team, our goal is winning state, and personally, I want to make the All-American game. Last year we went to the city championship versus Morgan Park and lost to them in the last eight seconds.
Scouts Inc.: Favorite actors?
Wilson: Jamie Foxx, Mike Epps, Chris Tucker and Brad Pitt.
Scouts Inc.: Cubs or White Sox?
Wilson: White Sox. I live on the south side of town.
Scouts Inc.: Do you think the NCAA should do something about all the text messaging?
Wilson: I do because everyone doesn't have the money to pay for all that text messaging.
Scouts Inc.: How many do you get in a week?
Wilson: Actually it has calmed down, so now I probably get about a good 80 a week. It has calmed down a lot, because before I was getting so many at a time, my inbox was full, and I would have to erase it so I could get more.
Scouts Inc.: Person you most admire?
Wilson: My grandma Barbara Wilson and my father Michael Whitehead. Simple fact that my father has been taking care of me my whole life. He is a really good man and one reason why I am where I am at today. My grandma has always been an inspiration to me my whole life. That is another reason why I want to make it, so she can see that.
Craig Haubert is a recruiting coordinator for ESPN's Scouts Inc.
Updated: June 14, 2006
Wilson leans on deep support groupBy Craig Haubert
Scouts Inc.
It has been an up-and-down couple of years for defensive end prospect Martez Wilson. After blossoming as a national prospect, his varsity head coach Alvin Scott lost his battle with cancer.
Despite that tragedy, the Simeon High (Chicago, Ill.) rising senior was able to focus last year under new head coach Jesse Chick and has people buzzing about his ability in a town where high school football can be overshadowed.
At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Wilson is an athletic talent with a great frame and wonderful upside. His 18 sacks last year are an indication of his ability to get after the quarterback, something that always opens up recruiters' eyes. He has attracted attention from schools all around the Midwest as well as from places like Southern Cal, Tennessee and Boston College.
"It's been more than I thought it would be," says Wilson. "I like it, though. I was hoping it would happen, and it did, and I am happy."
He started playing football in pads in the eighth grade, and his talent started to shine through the next year as a freshman. Paul Phillips, the freshman coach at the time, saw Wilson's ability and told him he could be the best if he just worked at it, advice Wilson heeded.
Wilson sits at 21 offers but has no favorites yet and is still wide open to the process. He is the first in his family to go through the process, though his father Michael Whitehead, other family members and his coaches provide a solid support group.
Eddie Whitehead, his uncle, or Phillips, who now coaches the offensive line, accompany him on his trips. Both have strong relationships with him and will play a role in his recruiting process.
He says of his uncle's involvement, "He supports me and knows I am on the right track right now, and he wants me to stay that way. He is really into it."
Wilson has had an opportunity to unofficially visit a handful of schools so far and hopes to get out to some more this summer.
As for what he's looking for, Wilson says, "First I look for the coaches' trust, then academics, as far as do they have my major, which is business or real estate, and I also look into the coach's prestige as far as is he a winning coach."
Another factor important to him is having the opportunity to play early -- Wilson wants to start as a true freshman.
"I want to be an immediate impact player, because I feel I have the ability to do that," Wilson said. While that is never an easy task, he says he has talked about it with his recruiters, and they all feel he has the ability to play as a freshman.
Wilson also has leaned on former Morgan Park quarterback Demetrius Jones, a former high school rival who signed with Notre Dame's 2006 class.
Wilson remembers Jones saying, "Stay humble, because now you are about to experience a whole new world. Keep your head above water."
Safe to say, he is taking his friend's advice seriously.
Wilson Q&A
Scouts Inc.: Who are your favorite players, and do you use their play as a model?
Wilson: Terrell Owens is my favorite, but I watch Simeon Rice and Jevon Kearse. I see similarities in our games -- we are all tall, have long arms, and we are athletic. They do everything well, so I like watching film of them and help myself get better.
Scouts Inc.: Goals for your senior season?
Wilson: For the team, our goal is winning state, and personally, I want to make the All-American game. Last year we went to the city championship versus Morgan Park and lost to them in the last eight seconds.
Scouts Inc.: Favorite actors?
Wilson: Jamie Foxx, Mike Epps, Chris Tucker and Brad Pitt.
Scouts Inc.: Cubs or White Sox?
Wilson: White Sox. I live on the south side of town.
Scouts Inc.: Do you think the NCAA should do something about all the text messaging?
Wilson: I do because everyone doesn't have the money to pay for all that text messaging.
Scouts Inc.: How many do you get in a week?
Wilson: Actually it has calmed down, so now I probably get about a good 80 a week. It has calmed down a lot, because before I was getting so many at a time, my inbox was full, and I would have to erase it so I could get more.
Scouts Inc.: Person you most admire?
Wilson: My grandma Barbara Wilson and my father Michael Whitehead. Simple fact that my father has been taking care of me my whole life. He is a really good man and one reason why I am where I am at today. My grandma has always been an inspiration to me my whole life. That is another reason why I want to make it, so she can see that.
Craig Haubert is a recruiting coordinator for ESPN's Scouts Inc.
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