Highland Regional running back Johnny Martin lll rushed for 1377 yards and 11 TDs as a freshman. Photo by Al Thompson

When you are a high school freshman running back and you go for about 1,377 yards and score 11 touchdowns, and in the process help lead you team to the second round of the New Jersey state playoffs, You are going to attract attention.

Highland Regional High School’s Johnny Martin III did just that in 2017. So when you hear elite programs such as Penn State, Syracuse, Rutgers, Baylor and Temple are showing interest, the spotlight becomes even brighter.

Martin III showed he rises to the occasion when he rushed 18 times for 156 yards and a touchdown in Highland’s 27-21 loss in the South Jersey Group 4 semifinals.

Martin III was recently asked how he handling interest from programs from the Big 10, Big 12 and ACC.

“It’s fun and at the same time it’s a little stressful,” Martin III said in a recent interview at Adrenaline Training facility in Cherry Hill. “Because you have to start living up to expectations and work a little bit harder.”

The 5-foot-9, 200 pound speedster talked about being comfortable with the expectations that come from a 1300-yard, 11-touchdown freshman season.

“I like higher expectations and I like the challenges,” Martin III said. “Because it makes me play better and go harder.”

Only one starter is returning from the 2017 offensive line according to Martin III. Josh Ortiz (5-foot-8, 245). Training camp started August 6 and Martin III is looking forward to see who will be paving the way for him and the rest of the backfield.

“I think I’ve got an idea who is going to be blocking, but I’m not really sure yet,” Martin said.

Martin III said Tartan head coach Brian Leary did talk to him about his role this year.

“He talked to me and said I was his feature back, I’ll get most of the carries” Martin said. “I’m looking forward to that. I think I should have a better year than last year. I want to go to the championship (game).”

Brian Cooey (6-1, 185) should be back as starting quarterback,

As you might expect from a 16-year old, Martin III is a young man of few words, unless he is talking about the running back he admires.

Topping the list appears to be former Penn State superstar Saquon Barkley, who was the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, going to the New York Giants.

“He’s an all-around back,” Martin III said of Barkley. “He doesn’t just use power, he uses shiftiness. He can go side to side and still score a touchdown and make something out of nothing.”
The other back Martin likes is former Ohio State All American Ezekiel Elliott, who is entering his third season with the Dallas Cowboys.

“I like how he’s so physical, how big he his and how he’s a downhill runner,” Marin III said of Elliott. “I think my game kind of compares to theirs a little bit.”

Martin III pushed back on the idea he was just a Big 10 fan. “I really like every conference. I don’t like just one conference, I like every one.”

Chad Hallet, owner of Adrenaline Sports Performance of Cherry Hill where Martin’s dad takes him to train during offseason, talked about what he sees in the young ball carrier.

“Johnny Martin is a very explosive athlete,” Hallet said. “His dad did a good job of getting his body physically ready! When he came in he reminded me of Corey Clement physically I mean he looks like a college RB and is only a incoming sophomore so his ceiling is very high on where we can take him! Look for a faster and more explosive Johnny in the years to come!”

Martin III talked about what he is doing to improve his overall game.

“I’m doing explosive work, getting faster, stronger,” said Martin III, who says he wants to run track this Spring. “And I’m working on getting more speed. I want to be a better athlete.”

Johnny Martin Jr, said he is well aware that with all the attention his son is getting at such and early age, he has to keep an eye on who his son is in contact with.

“You have to be very guarded, very guarded,” Martin Jr. said. “With all the social media platforms, you have to be very cautious. I try to keep around the right kind of people.”

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2018 Preseason South Jersey Top 20 High School Football Teams.
1. Lenape (11-1) Group 5 Champion
2. Delsea (9-3) Group 3 Champion
3. Shawnee (8-4) Group 4 Champion
4. Timber Creek (10-1)
5. St. Joseph, Hammonton (12-0) Group 2 Non-Public Champion
6. Haddonfield (9-3) Group 2 Champion
7. Rancocas Valley (10-2)
8. Millville (9-2)
9. West Deptford (10-2)
10. Paulsboro (10-2) Group 1 Champion
11. Woodrow Wilson (9-4)
12. Cinnaminson (8-3)
13. Holy Spirit (8-3)
14. Camden Catholic (8-2)
15. Moorestown (9-2)
16. Camden (8-2)
17. Vineland (8-2)
18. Cherokee (7-3)
19. Cedar Creek (8-3)
20. Penns Grove (10-2)
Under consideration (alphabetically),Atlantic City (6-4), Burlington Township (6-4), Gateway Regional (7-3), Hammonton (5-7), Highland Regional (6-5). Overbrook (7-3), Palmyra (6-4), Pleasantville (7-3). Salem (8-3), St. Augustine (5-5), Sterling, (8-2), Willingboro (7-3).