"I took my dad and sister with me to the MSU game," added Carlton Martin."Two of my teammates, Ken Barnes and Xa Griffin, also came with
me to Starkville. The next morning I got up and came up to the Ole Miss game
with Tobias Singleton and Bryon Bennett."
What was the nation's #24 rated defensive tackle keying in on at the MSU game?
"I just wanted to see how good they are and how good their defensive line
is and everything. They got those two Dandy Dozen (Fletcher Cox and Josh Boyd)
players last year. They are getting a lot of playing time on the defensive line.
Fletcher got a sack, and I think I was sitting right behind his folks in the
stadium too. Overall, I think their freshmen played good on the defensive line
and their team looked good."
What did his family think of MSU?
"Well, my dad is a pretty big JSU fan, so he was kind of rooting for them.
They hung in there with MSU for a half, but then they pulled away. My sister
goes to Ole Miss, but she said they played good ."
What were Carlton's thoughts on the Ole Miss game?
"I just wanted to see them play. I thought they did real good. Memphis
had a real good team, better than what people were expecting, but Ole Miss put
them away late. Their defensive line just puts a lot of pressure on you which
makes you one dimensional. I thought Greg Hardy got hurt early. I got scared,
but he came back and did real good."
What else is going on in the recruiting world?
"I have been hearing a whole bunch from Oklahoma State and North Carolina.
They are sending me a bunch of letters. I actually have a cousin that is a coach
at UCLA, and they have been writing me a lot lately. I did not know we were
cousins until we spoke. His name is Rob Moore. Rob played at Tennessee. Michigan State offered me last week. We just started talking a lot lately. I spoke to
Syracuse Sunday night, and they said they were about to offer. I also spoke
with Baylor, Ole Miss, and MSU last week too."
Is Ole Miss still in the lead?
"I guess you can say that because of my sister and all, but they are all
on the same level. My sister being at Ole Miss does give them the edge, but
I have not made up my mind or anything like that. I am still looking at everyone."
And who all would that be?
"Ole Miss, MSU, Alabama, TTech, Baylor, Baylor, Oklahoma State, UCLA, and
North Carolina."
Martin has gotten stronger and stronger with his play on the field as the season
has progressed.
"The first game against Hattiesburg (28-13 win) I had 5 tackles. The second
game against Melrose (43-26 win), I had 6 tackles and a 1 sack. Their QB was
pretty good too. Last week against Provine (24-6 win) was my best game. I had
8 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble."
What areas does Martin believe he has improved on this season?
"I am really getting off the ball quicker, and I am fighting the double
teams better than I was last year. A lot of teams are starting to double team
me this year. I have been practicing against it a lot in practices so that has
helped me adjust to it."
Yancy Porter is the Recruiting Analyst for the state of Mississippi
and can be reached at
yporter@scout.com |