Justin Martinez
OG/Center
Winston-Salem State

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

 

Justin Martinez:  6’3, 305 lbs and 5.1 laser time.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?

 

Justin Martinez:  I am training in Durham, North Carolina at Performance Intergrated Training (The PIT).

 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall experience at the FCS Bowl all-star game in Daytona Beach, FL.

 

Justin Martinez:  I had a great experience.  I learned a lot of what to expect from this process that I am entering into.  I met some good people, played against some of the nation’s best and showed out.  I talked to a few scouts.  So overall, it was a great experience for sure.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest thing that you will take away from that

weekend?

 

Justin Martinez:  Learning what the differences are going to be from the collegiate to the professional level and what to expect and how to react to make the transition a smooth one.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who was the best player that you have faced at the FCS Bowl?

 

Justin Martinez:  Honestly, I do not remember any one player name specifically, but there were a lot of good players there.  Playing against and with them, I can say increased my game for sure.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in

you?

 

Justin Martinez:  I had a few.  South Carolina, Arkansas and Miami U showed a lot, but never offered.  But then there were W. Kentucky, FAU, FIU, Wake Forest, UMass, Georgia State, Georgia Southern and Alabama State.

 

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at Western Kentucky?

 

Justin Martinez:  Decided to go when Coach Bobby Petrino was hired in 2013.  He was a great coach who brought in an even better coaching staff to a very good up and coming program.  I knew I would play early and just felt a family atmosphere there more than anywhere else.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you transfer to Winston-Salem State?

 

Justin Martinez:  I had my son and wanted to be at a school nearby where my girlfriend was from, so I can graduate and provide for my son at the same time.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

 

Justin Martinez:  My vocal skills, ability to be physical and nasty.  I am a fast learner and I have the ability to adapt on the run.  I have the hunger and love for the game.  Finally, the ability of not being complacent.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

 

Justin Martinez:  My mobility, flexibility and overall strength.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your overall career.

 

Justin Martinez:  Was a long and fun road.  It had it’s up and down, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  It molded me into the player and man I am today.  At the end of it, I proved my abilities are capable enough to play at the next level.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

 

Justin Martinez:  To this day, it is still helping lead my high school to its first district championship and playoff berth in a decade.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?

 

Justin Martinez:  That it will never be easy.  If you put the hard work in the off-season and during practice, game days will be nothing, but fun.  Stay cool and collect, just execute.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

 

Justin Martinez:  Denver Broncos.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

 

Justin Martinez:  Jason Kelce, center for the Philadelphia Eagles.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for an OL?

 

Justin Martinez:  Being physical.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the defense?

 

Justin Martinez:  Their hands, the way their body is slanted in and their stance.  Their depths from other defensive players predict stunts.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?

 

Justin Martinez:  Daryus Skinner, Farrell Murchison and Dominique Graves.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the toughest player that you have faced on an opposing team?

 

Justin Martinez:  Darius Leonard.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

 

Justin Martinez:  Ability to be physical, overpower another grown man into the dirt and enforce your will against him.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your biggest role model and why?

 

Justin Martinez:  My mother.  Her will and ambition to fight through whatever adversity she faces and always keeps her faith and puts others first, no matter what.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your definition of a leader?

 

Justin Martinez:  Ability to lead others with their actions, not just words at all times.  Represent the good things needed to be done and holding others around them accountable.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

 

Justin Martinez:  Playing madden, going to the beach and playing with my son.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

 

Justin Martinez:  Just live a long happy life and raise my little boy into a great man.  Hopefully coach a little at some level.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

 

Justin Martinez:  Motivated, humble, family-oriented, loving, and physical.