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LB, 6'3, 215, 4.48, 260 BP
Grove Hill, AL
Nickname: Tech
Birthday: 11-24-79
High School: Clarke County
HS Mascot: Bulldogs
HS Coach: Duane Davis
HS Position: LB
HS Number: 80
Official Visits: Alabama
Second Choice: Auburn
Host During Alabama Visit: Kenric Lott
Committed: 11-24-98
Academic Status: Not Qualified
Stats
HS Senior Season
Rushing
- 91 carries
- 1220 yards
- 13.4 yards per carry
- 15 TDs
Tackles
- 112 total
- 11 for loss
- 3 QB sacks
Honors
- Two-time All-Region
- All-State
- Two-time County Defensive Player of The Year
SBR Scouting Report
Great size and speed. Vastly underrated. Runs well enough to have also played running back and wide receiver in high school. Big hitter who plays “downhill.” Rushes the passer well. Looks comfortable dropping into pass coverage. Projects as a linebacker.
[Observation: highlight tape.]
Stories
His Spring Game Catches Cottrell's Eye
Terris Martin found out last spring that it pays to always play your best, because you never know who's watching.
"We were playing Citronelle in the jamboree. In the first half, I was all over the field. I had 13 tackles and four sacks," Martin recalls. "At halftime my coach told me that Coach Cottrell from Alabama was there watching me. I was shocked because I didn't think that they would even look at somebody from Clarke County."
By the end of the game, Cottrell was more than just looking at Martin.
"He told my coach that he wanted me at Alabama," Martin says. "He said that he loved my speed and the way I rush the quarterback."
As a senior, Martin made 112 tackles, and in just six games at running back rushed for 1,220 yards and 15 touchdowns. His performance attracted recruiters from Southern Miss, Florida, Tennessee, Auburn and UAB.
"Nobody from my school has ever gone to play for a big school like Alabama," Martin says. "When they offered me a scholarship, there was no doubt what I was going to do. I've always wanted to play for Bama."
He Loves to Slam!
To most linebackers, a slam is a big hit. But to Terris Martin, a slam means basketball.
"I like nothing better than catching an alley-oop pass and slamming it," Martin says. "I had over 40 slams this season."
His most memorable slam came against Wilcox County.
"It was off the opening tip," Martin recalls. "I took a lob pass, slammed it, and was fouled. I thought that was a pretty good way to start a game."
This past season Martin led Clarke County with 22 points and 11 rebounds a game. In the Clarke County Tournament, he was named the MVP after scoring 33 and 26 points in the Bulldogs two games
Clarke County basketball coach J.J. Jackson, who played at Alabama, calls Martin explosive.
"He's got it all, but what impresses me the most are his legs," Jackson says. "He can run and jump very well and he has excellent acceleration. He's just a great athlete."
He's Got Speed!
He's not big or strong, but he sure is fast!
Last summer at the Alabama football camp, Terris Martin was timed at 4.48 in the 40.
"My speed is what makes me good," Martin says. "Before the linemen can get out their stance, I'm already past them in the backfield making the tackle."
"I know that I have to get bigger and stronger to be good in college. But like they say, you can't coach speed."
His Punt Return Ends Streak
Martin |
Terris Martin's punt return against T.R. Miller last season was the biggest play for the Clarke County football program in two decades.
"That's the team our fans always want to beat," Martin says. "But we hadn't done it 20 years."
And late in the fourth quarter in this year's game, it looked like it would be 21.
"With a minute left, we were losing 12-7," Martin says. "But we stopped them on third and one and forced a punt."
Martin dropped back to his 15 yardline.
"I was a little surprised they kicked it to me," Martin says. "I broke a couple of tackles and it was all over. I took it 85 yards for the touchdown."
"We made history beating them. People in Clarke County partied for three days."
A One-Man Wrecking Crew
The difference between Clarke County and Greensboro this season was one man.
"They had beat us two or three years in a row and some of our guys weren't very confident we could beat them," Martin says.
So Martin took things into his owns hands, starting with the opening kickoff.
"I went up the middle, hit the left sideline and was gone. It was a 95-yard return," he says. "I think that gave us some confidence."
Late in the game, Clarke County was trailing 9-7. Once again Martin took over.
"I lined up at receiver and ran a streak straight up the field," he says. "They had me double covered, but I ran away from both of them for a 65-yard touchdown."
And that was the difference in the game.
Headed To Jones Community College?
At this point, it doesn't appear that Martin will qualify academically.
"If I don't, then I'll go to Jones," Martin says. "But I'll come back to Alabama when I finish there."
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