'09 UT OL John Martinez (USC Signee)

[wadc45]

ESPN - Barkley selling USC to recruits - Football Recruiting

Utah is home to the top two offensive linemen in the region still on the board. Guard prospect John Martinez (Cottonwood, Salt Lake City) and tackle Xavier Su'a Filo (Timpview, Provo) are both rated among the top 55 players in the nation and the two have talked about being a package deal.

Package deals rarely happen in football recruiting simply because as signing day approaches, players will always do what they feel is best for them over the opportunity to attend the same school as a friend. Saying that, Martinez and Su'a Filo have a lot of the same schools with USC, UCLA and LSU among the top five for both players.

In addition, Martinez is very high on Ohio State and Georgia and Su'a Filo has Miami in his top five. The two good friends have both decided to leave the state; it's somewhat surprising that neither is looking at local power BYU.

 

[osugrad21]

BN Free--Is Martinez Still In The Mix With The Buckeyes?

John says tOSU told him they are set at OL right now but he says he is patient and the Buckeyes are still on his list if they should offer.

 

[wadc45]

ESPN - Mobility a hallmark of top 2009 interior offensive linemen - Football Recruiting

The state of Utah is not considered a powerhouse of high school football, but it is vastly improving. The top two guards in '09 class both hail from the Beehive State and are great friends. John Martinez (Salt Lake City/Cottonwood) and Xavier Su'a Filo (Pleasant Grove, Utah/Timpview) are deserving of their rankings.

At 6-foot-2, 264 pounds, Martinez is not as big physically as you might expect, but the way he plays is huge. He moves with the tenacity of a linebacker and is a devastating puller and trapper. Martinez plays with great intensity from the first snap until the last whistle and has exceptional lower-body agility and change of direction.

 

[LitlBuck]

I think they have to be very confident of a commitment from Hall or I am totally confused. The kid is willing to wait for an Ohio State offer which really says something about the kid's desire to play for Ohio State IMO

 

[tonystarx]

I think they have to be very confident of a commitment from Hall or I am totally confused. The kid is willing to wait for an Ohio State offer which really says something about the kid's desire to play for Ohio State IMO

Yeah, either Hall is playing a cruel joke on everybody that Tressel is in on, or the staff is just being stubborn in not offering Martinez. Maybe they want to use the void left by Hall to attract the Henderson kid from Minnesota in next year's class.

 

[buckeyboy]

Let's say Tressel and staff go on to offer Martinez. I highly doubt Martinez would be considered for a tackle as he does not have the prototypical size for that position. The only way I see tOSU potentially losing out on Hnederson next year is if Hall does indeed commit at some point in the future. At this point, I'd love to see both of them join the fold.

 

[sparcboxbuck]

[sarcasm] I say get him to bring the 4.88 40 time down and recruit him as Big Speed. [/sarcasm]

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

I think they have to be very confident of a commitment from Hall or I am totally confused. The kid is willing to wait for an Ohio State offer which really says something about the kid's desire to play for Ohio State IMO

I agree. The interest level from Martinez reminds me of Mark Johnson, who also waited a little bit before getting his offer. I think we'll still wait a bit on Hall though.

 

[NightmaresDad]

I agree. The interest level from Martinez reminds me of Mark Johnson, who also waited a little bit before getting his offer. I think we'll still wait a bit on Hall though.

Just so it doesn't end up being like the Ronnie Wilson situation.

I am taking this as a Hall=solid equation.

 

[wadc45]

ESPN - Midwest Recruiting Blog

Offensive lineman John Martinez (Salt Lake City, Utah/Cottonwood) will attend the USC-Ohio State game on an unofficial visit. Martinez and his father will fly to California Saturday and fly home Sunday. Martinez is considering USC, Ohio State, LSU and UCLA, and all but the Buckeyes have offered a scholarship.

 

[LitlBuck]

I would think the quote above probably should read "but the Buckeyes have not offered a scholarship". I think there must have been a typo in that article.

 

[Padraig]

"all but the Buckeyes have offered"

USC, LSU and UCLA have...the buckeyes have not.

 

[osugrad21]

BN$--Martinez Still Talking With Buckeyes

John favors USC, LSU, UCLA and tOSU (in order). If tOSU does not offer soon, John may remove the Buckeyes from consideration.

 

[osugrad21]

Rivals$

John is excited to visit LSU for the UGA game.

 

[wadc45]

Rivals $

10/31

From the LSU site...John's father talks about the family's visit to LSU for his son's official visit last weekend...still plans on visiting OSU, UCLA and USC.