Redshirt freshman Jonathan Martin is going to make his Stanford football debut this Saturday. Not only that, when the Cardinal visit Washington State the young left tackle will be one of two redshirt freshman to start in the offensive line along with David DeCastro.
Martin is likely to share time during the season with veteran Allen Smith (recovering from many knee injuries) and senior Chris Marinelli (who will start at guard but could play tackle when Andrew Phillips is 100% healthy from a finger injury).
I talked to Martin at practice about making the starting lineup for week one.
Q; Congratulations on making the starting lineup, how does it feel?
It feels good but I am just trying to do my best out there. The OL as a whole, the line is nothing with just one player, it is more the unit than five individual players.
Q: Was there an announcement, did the coaches talk to you or did the depth chart come out and you were there?
I did not even know it was set in stone yet because we have been rotating. I am just trying to do my best while I am in there and make the best of my reps.
Q: Talk about how the offensive line is coming together, you have had a month of working together, what do you think?
I think we are going to be really good, very physical. Like the right side is huge. On the left side Phillips hurt his hand a little bit, so Marinelli and I are switching but they are both great players. I am just trying to find my niche in there with all those great players.
Q: What do you think it is going to be like, you are making your collegiate debut on Saturday, are you nervous?
I am a little nervous but more excited. I am jumping out of my skin, I can’t wait to play. I can not imagine a better place then Washington State. Get my first snaps in. I just want to do the best that I can in the concept of the team. Toby Gerhart you don’t really have to do much to make him look good. Even if you don’t block your guy he’ll make them miss and he’ll get a 20-yard gain.
Q: The funny thing is he says the same thing about you guys. You guys do all the work and he just runs a little bit.
Right, right. (Smile)
Q: How do you think you will feel when you first get out in the field? In high school did you used to get butterflies? What do you think it will be like?
In high school, even in senior year, I was always really nervous before games. That is just how I am because I get so juiced up ready to go. I think I’ll be a little nervous but more just ready to go and ready to hit somebody.
Q: Once you get that first hit against a defensive end it will be all over and then it is game time?
Yeah, that is what the older guys are telling me, after the first snap it is just ball! I can’t wait to get to that point where it is just playing in a game.
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