After injury, Martey looking to future

Four months ago Christian Martey's future in football looked very bright. Going into his junior season, the running back from Clifton (Va.) Centreville had caught the eye of most of the top tier college football programs. Everything seemed to be on the right track for Martey but in the second quarter of the first game of his 2012 season he tore his ACL and in the blink of an eye everything changed.

"I had surgery in early October so I'm about two months out right now," said the 6-foot, 215, pound Martey. "My physical therapist has told me I'm ahead of schedule. There are certain dates that I have to follow, even though I'm ahead of schedule. I have full range of motion back and I've started walking. I knew when it happened that it would be a long road back but I guess I'm a fast healer.

"I'm trying to model myself after Adrian Peterson, he's my favorite player and I wear his number. Seeing how he has come back from tearing his ACL and MCL, leading the NFL in rushing. If he can do it, I don't see why I can't."

It is this positive, fighting attitude that keeps Martey going. He knows that there is still a very good chance he'll be able to play in college because some teams still haven't given up on him.

"Maryland, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest are the ones recruiting me right now, along with Rutgers and N.C. State. The only possible difference is that if I didn't get injured I'd possibly have a few offers by now. They want me to go to some camps to see how I feel and then they might offer. I've been keeping them up to date with my rehab."

How has the way these schools are recruiting Martey changed?

"I haven't really seen a lot of change because Maryland just came to visit a few weeks ago. I talk to Wake Forest every week and Vanderbilt just started recruiting me after the injury.

"I know the Maryland had a pretty bad situation this year with their quarterbacks. Despite that, they had a pretty good season. That linebacker stepped up and did well. Them moving to the Big Ten, it will be more competition but I think they are on the rise. I would like Maryland pretty it's pretty close.

"Same with Wake Forest. I feel like both will be a lot better in the next few years because they are recruiting better. Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe coached my running back in college and my coach told me a lot about him.

"I hope to visit Vanderbilt some time this summer or in February. I haven't been there yet so I want to go.

"Rutgers had a great season this year. They have some big running backs and I feel like I'm a big running back so it would be a good fit. I definitely think they will do pretty well in the Big Ten because they won nine games this year. I feel like they were too good for their conference this year."

Martey plans to work extremely hard in his rehab and be able to make it to camps this offseason, hoping to get an offer from a school that sees his potential.