Interest: Dixie State Mega Camp Pulls Recruiting Interest for 2022 California QB Mario Martinez Jr
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Southern California high school football fans got a sneak peak of coming attractions this spring watching Class of 2022 quarterback Mario Martinez Jr. spinning it with Diamond Ranch High School. The Panthers posted a 4-1 season through the abbreviated schedule watching their rising talent in the pocket spread the pigskin around the field. Martinez hit 61 of 98 attempts for 707 yards with six touchdowns against just one interception while taking one in on the ground, and the best is yet to come.
As the Panthers make that turn this summer in practices to the fall, their 6-2, 188-pound, field general is picking up extra coaching tips and recruiting interest at college camps. After appearing at a Dixie State camp, Martinez now has the Trailblazers on him along with Eastern Washington, Nevada, and Yale among others. The list is soon to expand this summer and fall with more college camps on the schedule and a big senior year on the horizon.
In an RNG first-look, Martinez visited the RNG Clubhouse for a detailed conversation.
Interview
Mario, working in the Panthers’ Spread attack, you were slinging it all over the field during the 2020 season. Game film shows you know your hot reads from your pre-snap looks. To get to that point on game day, what are you doing during the week to prepare?
I really connect with my receivers. We get everything down during the week, we go over film, and we study. Before and after practice we throw and we work on any new routes we might do during the game. We get overall mentally prepared. Coach E (Mike Esquivel – OC at Diamond Ranch) gets us prepared. We install any new formations, anything that will help playing a team. We might go Spread, trips, or motions more often. It depends how the defense has been playing other teams.
How were teams trying to defend against your offensive attack?
Usually, they were trying to press man with some blitzes. I would have to check out of it. I’d look at their defense, even if they are off 5 or 10 yards. I usually have the control to audible out of a play. Coach E gives that control to me to do what is best for the team. If it is a blitz, I will dump off or get it to the slot on a slant. I have that control.
Getting those live-action reps this spring, which areas of your game saw the most improvement?
Being able to understand the game more. We got blitzed in every game; I was able to move in the pocket to buy time and my receivers were able to understand that moving to get open where I could see them and get the ball to them. Getting out of the pocket and throwing it with speed were two big improvements.
Once the season was completed, what did you start working on with your throwing mechanics?
I have focused more on my release speed; it was getting slower and I was dropping the ball more. I have been working on getting it up and over, making sure I move the ball better, and get it out of my hands quicker.
What have you been doing tying in your footwork with your release?
Usually, I match my foot with my arm strength. As soon as I move my arm, I move my feet a certain way. I’ve been working on my lower body strength to get my legs into my throwing motion with more off my back foot.
Are you working with a QB trainer this offseason?
I work with my coach, Coach E. I have been working with him for about 10 years. Coach E has been my coach for 10 years now. Every weekend we usually go for about two hours. Everything I have learned is from him.
Will you be executing the same offense in 2021 or mixing it up some?
Right now, we are still putting in some new things, but everything will still pretty much be the same.
How have you been preparing this summer for the upcoming season?
We started our 7v7 last week. We have all our receivers going at it. I have been taking some aside to go throw to get in tune with them making sure they are able to get off the ball right to prepare them for the season.
Nice. This offseason, have you been to any camps?
I have been to a couple showcases. Last week I went to a Dixie State camp and in two weeks I am attending a Yale camp. I have camps at Eastern Washington and Idaho State coming up too.
Are you going to a Yale camp out here or going to the east coast?
I am going to the east coast for that Yale camp.
Backtracking, tell me about your performance at the Dixie State camp.
That went great. I was on it during that camp. It was a good camp.
What were you able to showcase of your skills during that camp?
I was able to prove to them that I can throw it, throw it on the run, and showcase my footwork.
Nice. Did you get to talk to any coaches during that camp?
Yes, I talked to the head coach at Dixie State and their quarterback coach. They liked me technique.
Very cool. Mario, I appreciate your time today. Wishing you further success with the upcoming camps and getting the Panthers’ offense humming this summer for the 2021 season.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Photo credit: Martinez family; Mario Martinez