Martel Mabry Steals The Show

Bolingbrook High School's Martel Mabry did his talking on the football field this past Saturday and his message was heard loud and clear.

The showdown between All-American linebacker Kyle Williams and Illinois bound linebacker/fullback Russ Weil lived up to its billing and then some.

Williams and Weil went at it hard this past Saturday with Williams and his Bolingbrook Raiders winning 13-6.

While Williams and Weil battled, it was another prospect that took center stage and showed everyone in attendance that he belonged on a Big Ten football field next season.

Martel Mabry did it all for Bolingbrook. The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder led his team in tackles, big hits, big plays and eye opening de-cleaters.



Mabry never left the field. He played defensive end, wide receiver, running back and special teams.

Martel Mabry left no doubt about his toughness and play making ability. He hit a defender so hard on one block that he was bleeding from his ears and Martel also made a tackle on a punt that they heard in Northwest Indiana.

Standing on the sideline for this game, I had someone ask me if Martel Mabry would make my “Illinois Top 30” at the end of the season.

The answer to that question is not whether Mabry will end up in the “Top 30” but if he’ll end up in the “Top 10”. I’m not sure if there are 10 high school football players in Illinois that bring as much to the table as Martel Mabry.

Where does Mabry play at the next level? He’s a football player, just get him on the field and he’s going to make plays.

He could put on weight and play linebacker. Martel has deceptive speed and could play safety at the next level and he blocks well enough to play tight end.

In all my years of covering football recruiting, I’ve never been more certain that Martel Mabry belongs playing college football at its highest level.

Big Ten, Big XII, SEC, ACC and Big East coaches need to take notice. There’s a real steal out there in Bolingbrook, Illinois and his name is Martel Mabry.