Jah-Maine Martin
Running Back / North Carolina A&T

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

Jah-Maine Martin:  I am 5’11 and 215. 

Alex Khvatov:  How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

Jah-Maine Martin:  My dad and my uncle have a little gym at the crib.  I lift with them.  I also see a trainer at Myrtle Beach for agility and speed work.     

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

Jah-Maine Martin:  I ran track.  I did the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.  In high school, we went to regionals.    

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

Jah-Maine Martin:  Running back and safety.  I didn’t play RB until my junior year of high school.  It was my first time playing RB.  We moved from Atlanta to South Carolina. 

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

Jah-Maine Martin:  I had offers from 11 schools.  I had Army, Gardner-Webb, and Coastal Carolina.   

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at Coastal Carolina? 

Jah-Maine Martin:  It was close to home.  My little brother was only a year old.  I wanted to stay by my dad.  I liked the campus.  Everyone talked about going to Coastal Carolina.    

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your time with the Hornets.  What happened there? 

Jah-Maine Martin:  I came in the summer time and was there for one season.  I played in a couple of games.  I am actually in the record books at the school.  Two backs including myself rushed for over 100 yards in one game.  I rushed for 120 yards and two TD’s in that game against Presbyterian.  I got kicked out the next summer.    

Alex Khvatov:  What have you learned from that incident? 

Jah-Maine Martin:  I learned that not everybody has your best interest.  I had my charges dropped, but I should have never been in that situation.  I felt like I couldn’t be touched.  I thought that I was above the law.  It brought me back to reality and opened up my eyes to the world.  There are no freebies.  I need to watch my surroundings and be careful with the company that I keep.   

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you transfer to North Carolina A&T? 

Jah-Maine Martin:  The incident happened in the summer.  That fall semester, I didn’t play.  I sat out the entire year.  Towards the end of the fall, I got a release from Coastal Carolina.  Coach Barnette reached out to me.  He is an offensive coordinator here.  He recruited me out of high school.  I sent him my paperwork that my charges were dropped.  I felt like I could be myself here.  I didn’t have to hide and I just fit in.  It was a great football program.  I will always be grateful for the opportunity.  Tarik Cohen and Marquell Cartwright have been great backs here.  I want to keep that legacy going now.       

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall career at North Carolina A&T?    

Jah-Maine Martin:  My sophomore year, we went 10-2, won the MEAC and the Celebration Bowl.  I was behind Marquell Cartwright that year.  I scored five TD’s as a sophomore.  Next year, I broke Tarik Cohen’s rushing TD record at the school.  We won the MEAC and the Celebration Bowl again.  I rushed for over 1,200 yards as a junior. 

Alex Khvatov:  You had a big game in the 2019 Celebration Bowl.  Tell us about that performance. 

Jah-Maine Martin:  I had a lot on my mind in the first half.  I only gained one-yard in the first half.  I was trying to do too much.  I went into the locker room, and my coach talked to me.  I stopped overthinking.  I just played football in the second half.    

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from the Aggies this upcoming season? 

Jah-Maine Martin:  As a team, we want to win the MEAC, go undefeated, and win the Celebration Bowl.  I want to go out with a bang.  I am looking to rush for 2,000 yards and score 30 TD’s.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Jah-Maine Martin:  My ability to get the ball into the end zone.  I am a homerun threat.  My speed, patience, and awareness.  I have improved on where the play is supposed to hit. 

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

Jah-Maine Martin:  My hip flexibility.  I need to stop and start faster.  I am working on my change of direction skills and my speed.  At Coastal, I was a 230-pound back.  I am a lot different now.  I came to A&T at 185 pounds.  I am strong now at 215.  I am working on those twitch muscles.    

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

Jah-Maine Martin:  At Charleston Southern, I rushed for 299 yards and scored the game-winning TD.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

Jah-Maine Martin:  Coach Gibbs tells me to just always stay humble.  When I had 299, he told me if you could have hit 300 yards, it would have been different.  He keeps me focused.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team? 

Jah-Maine Martin:  I don’t have a favorite team.  I root for players.  I was born in Alabama, moved to Atlanta and then to Conway, South Carolina. 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Jah-Maine Martin:  I root for Tom Brady. 

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

Jah-Maine Martin:  A couple of receivers in Ahmed Bah, Zachary Leslie and Korey Banks.  Another WR JaMichael Baldwin.  He is a return man who transferred from Savannah State.  Almost our whole O-line is coming back.  Corners Mac McCain and Amir McNeill.  We have the same team from last year, but we will be even better.      

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

Jah-Maine Martin:  The DL from Alcorn State my sophomore year.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a RB?

Jah-Maine Martin:  Vision.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Jah-Maine Martin:  Be violent and not get in trouble for it.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Jah-Maine Martin:  I like to play video games and watch movies.  I like to eat, sleep, and travel.    

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

Jah-Maine Martin:  My major is in liberal studies.  I want to own a couple of businesses.  I want to own fast food chain restaurants and a nail salon.  I want to put them in my city.  My dad and uncle own a roofing business.  I see how dedicated they are.  They make money and do well.    

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

Jah-Maine Martin:  I am not easily persuaded.  I have a mind of my own.  I am leader, not a follower.  I also lead by example. 

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Jah-Maine Martin:  Cool, funny, understanding, caring, and trustworthy.