California 2018 RB/SS Martell Irby Updates Off-Season and 2016 Schedule
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Football season cannot get here fast enough – for anyone. Coaches and players alike are ready to test their off-season workouts and plans against the competition with fans anxiously awaiting results. One of the Class of 2018 players garnering attention across the board with all eyes on how his start to the early part of the season goes is Martell Irby.
Irby was absolutely explosive for Morse High School during the 2015 campaign. Through seven games, Irby rushed for 1,245 yards with 13 scores as the Tigers top tailback and flipped the field at safety coming up with 63 tackles, three pass deflections, and a pick.
What will he do with a full season? Everyone wants to know, including Irby.
The 5’9”, 190 pound, two-way star has gained interest from Pac-12, Mountain West, Big Ten, and Big Sky schools with all wanting to see how Irby plays in the first quarter of the season. Teams showing interest includes Utah, Arizona, Cal, Montana, Montana State, Northern Arizona, Wyoming, Nevada, and Northwestern with Lindenwood (St. Louis, MO) extending an offer.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Irby just as Morse was about to begin their fall camp to get an update on his off-season, camp circuit, and recruitment.
Interview
Martell, which camps did you attend this summer?
“I went to an Arizona and Nevada camp and a Washington State camp.”
Do you have any other camps coming up?
“Today (Sunday, July 24) I am going to a camp at Cathedral High School (San Diego) with coaches from Ohio State, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, and Michigan State that will be there.”
Good luck with that.
“Thank you.”
How did the Arizona and Nevada camp go for you?
“It went good. They did not ask me to perform a lot, I kind of tweaked my groin. I talked to coaches from both schools individually. When I was in I performed well.”
How did the Washington State camp go?
“I did really well at that camp. They’ve been talking to me since then. We’ve been keeping in touch. I balled out at that camp.”
What did you do well at that camp?
“In the footwork drills I did well, better than most. In the change of direction drills, I did well there too. During the one-on-one portion I balled out against the linebackers. I think only one linebacker stopped me and he is someone who already has an offer from Washington State.”
Did you run a 40-yard dash at any of the camps?
“At Washington State’s camp I ran a 4.63.”
Nice. Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you right now?
“Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, San Diego State, Montana State, NAU (Northern Arizona), Nevada, and Northwestern are the main ones right now.”
Did you take any unofficial visits this off-season?
“No. My mom wants to wait until I start receiving scholarship offers.”
Do you have any planned visits coming up?
“Possibly Nevada, because my brother (Daquirae Irby – Class of 2016 signee) is there. We’ve been talking about that.”
What have you been working on this off-season through the camp circuit going into your junior season?
“Wow! I’ve been working on a lot of things. Individually I’ve been working on my leadership skills. I’m trying to lead the team the right way. I’ve been working on getting bigger, stronger, and faster. I’m doing everything I can to be ready for this year. I’ve been growing up as an athlete and a leader.”
How does the team look going into the 2016 schedule?
“We’ve had a good off-season, we should have a good season. We’ve been in the weight room and on the field working hard.”
Are you getting excited for any of the games on the schedule yet?
“We play some big schools like Oceanside (Sept. 2) and our crosstown rivals, Lincoln (Oct. 29), for the first time in 10 years. Those two games I am really stoked about playing.”
Martell, thanks for your time today and good luck with fall camp and the season.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: varsityviews.com; No. 6 Martell Irby in action.