Is Martinez Still In The Mix With The Buckeyes?

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By Bill Kurelic, Recruiting Analyst
billkurelic@bucknuts.com
Posted Aug 20, 2008


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John Martinez

Offensive lineman John Martinez from Salt Lake City (Utah) Cottonwood has scholarship offers from three of the four schools he has been considering, USC, LSU and UCLA.  But what about the fourth school, Ohio State?  Bucknuts.com spoke with Martinez late Tuesday night.  He discusses his interest in OSU, what Jim Bollman has told him, what his plans are and more.

The Buckeyes have commitments from three offensive linemen, Corey Linsley from Youngstown (Ohio) Boardman, Jack Mewhort from Toledo (Ohio) St. John's and Sam Longo from Bellbrook, Ohio. 

Offensive line coach Jim Bollman wants to add one more blocker to the mix and to that end the Buckeyes have offered a scholarship to Marcus Hall from Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville.  Hall says Ohio State, Illinois and Michigan are his three favorites.

If the Bucks are not able to land Hall, John Martinez from Salt Lake City (Utah) Cottonwood could still be an option.

Martinez attended Ohio State's Senior Advanced Camp June 20 with his father, and came away very impressed.  However of the four schools he is considering, Ohio State is the only one he does not have a scholarship offer from.

"My dad talked to coach Bollman a few weeks ago," Martinez said on Tuesday night.  "Ohio State is kind of set right now.  The kids they offered have said yes or don't know yet."

But at least for now, Martinez is staying patient in regards to Ohio State.

"They're still on my list," he said.  "But only if they decide to offer."

Martinez has an official visit scheduled to Ohio State.

"I'll be there for the Ohio State-Michigan game," he said.  "That's scheduled.  I also have (official visits scheduled to) LSU when they play Georgia and USC when they play Ohio State.  I'm thinking about UCLA when they play USC."

The 6-foot-3 and 265-pound Martinez has over 30 scholarship offers.

"It's down to those four, USC, Ohio State, LSU and UCLA," Martinez said.  "I couldn't say I have a favorite.  I really like Ohio State and LSU.  But when I went out to USC I felt like I had a good fit.  When I went to Ohio State I liked coach Bollman better than any other coach."

If the Bucks were to offer, this one could get very interesting.  But for now, Martinez is concentrating on the start of his senior football season.  Cottonwood opens up on Friday night at home against Clearfield.

For the most recent news on the other offensive lineman in the picture, Marcus Hall, click on this link:

http://bucknuts.com/news/articles/2008/8/11/hall-2

Also check out a photo gallery of Hall and Buckeye OL commitment Corey Linsley:

http://bucknuts.com/news/articles/2008/6/1/corey-linsley-records-personal-best-at-regional-meet

 

Discuss In Buckeye Lounge
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Comments
Think we are being very up-front with this guy!! The caliber of the schools he is considering are top flight programs. I have wondered all along about Hall and his procrastination. Think it would be a mistake to let this kid get away!!
I agree as well. He is a very athletic O-lineman that could play all 3 positions. I think is ok that we were upfront with him, but we need to be patient, we have never been this far along with commitments this early, there are risks involved with injuries early in HS Football Season. I like this kid, as much as Hall, if not more.
I think they should go ahead and offer him and if they can only take one more lineman then whoever commits first gets it. I don't agree with waitting for Hall than offering to Martinez. What if Hall waits to long and goes elsewhere and Martinez has already choosen somewhere else cause it took to long. Go Buckeyes!
Martinez seems a little light compared to recent O-line recruits. But looking at who has offered him, I assume it's not expected to be a problem.
this kid is supposed to have good feet and move well...sounds like a perfect fit with T. Pryor taking over next year...something always happens in recruiting, heck Tress might even convince one of these Ohio linemen to gray-shirt, let's not let Martinez get away.
Sometimes the Glenville kids pan out but sometimes not (Lenix, Hiley ie)(?s like Rowell, O'Neal, Small) and sometimes they really surprise (Terry, Browning)Sometimes a crapshoot with that school. I still want Hall though ! We beat USC and distance may not be a great factor with Martinez eh ?
It doesn't sound like distance is an issue given his top schools. Who wouldn't want to be associated with TP's offense? He's wise to keep OSU in the mix. And we'd be lucky to get him too. Hope it happens.
John is a top guard recruit. I agree we should offer and let the first acceptance in. We lost Chris Watt (another top guard potential) and now we are letting Hall string us along (remember Scott??). Hall has the potential to be coached into a top prospect, but so does John. Let's offer him and allow him to choose the best program. We have Justin Boren for one guard position and could use John's competition for the other. Great Buckeye Class.
Anyone want to bet me on Hall let me know. You guys are letting your disappointment over Scott get the best of you. Hall is a good kid and just because he wants to have some fun, some of you are beating him up. It important to remember, the kid comes to this board, he reads, he hears everything. I would wait for Hall as long as he wants because he will be worth the wait.
I would add further, Hall has seen more competition in half a season than this kid has seen his whole career in HS.
My thoughts.. 1. stop grouping people, players performance is not based on the performance of past recruits from their respective schools. 2.I actually agree with most people here and i think we should offer him. Whomever commits first gets the spot 3. This a precarious position for the coaching staff, who knows what ahs been said to the recruits. 4. Martinez would seem to be good fit in the mobility aspect that will be needed in our future offense. 5. He is light, but he tenacious! 6. Remember they are just kids. 7. Martinez is mantastic!
There must be some reason USC offed John, but chose not to extend Hall an offer. What are they seeing that some of us do not? Hall made it obvious he wanted to get their attention. I have seen enough film on Hall to believe he could have an eventual imapact at OSU, uness he is carrying similar baggage as many other glenville kids have brought with them. I hope he is a good kid and comes to our program and enjoys the success that will go with it. I would like to see John and Marcus on our team.
When Watt was being recruited, Bucknuts quoted him as saying "OSU is in" as I remember. Didn't he have dinner with Martinez and the coaching staff. Then his father and ND got more involved. THEN WE LOST HIM!! If Martinez is really interested, offer him and see what Hall's reaction is. You run the chance of losing him (Martinez) and maybe his feelings becoming bruised by a non- offer Take Him!! Time to quit the grinning and drop the Linen !!!
It doesn't make sense to offer a tackle and a guard and take the one who verbals first. Tackles are harder to find. Besides, OSU may have assurances (granted, that's not a guarantee) that Hall will come aboard. I pretty much figure JT and the gang know more about this than we opinionated bloggers.
Just an FYI, Hall comes from a very good-solid family. His Father and Mother are very committed to Education first, football second. His Father played next to and remains friends with Bill Fralic at Pitt.
You have to wait on Hall BUT if he doesn't commit to OSU the Glenville pipeline is going to take a big hit. I'm all for kids taking their max visits but the recruiting game has changed and Ohio State can't pass on top end talent when available.
Offer the kid and take them both. Competition will sort it all out. With the early enrollees it seems we have room for 4-5 more guys so get after this stud.
Zebrie Sanders....he got away while we waited on the kid from WV
I say offer both and with the number of kids enrolling early we should be fine. You can not have enough good o-lineman or defensive lineman. That is where the games is won.
We never offered Z.Sanders if I remember correctly. At a minimum the Buckeyes should at least offer him, then see what transpires from there. We have not even offered this young man and we are still in his top 4. As well as Coach Bollman being his favorite of the Coaches that are recruiting him. Those are all very encouraging indicators as to why we should consider offering him as well as his talent. GO BUCKS!!!
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