Arlington Martin has plenty in 2008

Arlington Martin had quite the recruiting run last year with six Division I prospect signing letters-of-intent in the class of 2007. Coach Bob Wager says that this year is also stacking up very well.

His 2008 group already includes one commit and several other prospects with scholarship offers on the board. Those prospects include offensive guard Lane Taylor, running back Jeremi Mathis, and safety Jake Sharum.

"All of our guys are wide open in terms of favorites with the exception of one who has made a commitment," Wager said. "Jake Sharum has committed to the Air Force Academy. He's a 5-11, 195 pound safety and a coach's son. His dad is our defensive coordinator.

"An interesting tidbit about Jake is that his dad and I were at Groveton (Texas) High School in 2004 and Jake started as a freshman. He was an all-district pick. We left Groveton and went to Kaufman (Texas) High School and he started as a safety there. He was also a unanimous all-district selection. Then this last year, he was with us on the way to the playoffs for the first time since 1999 and was also an all-district selection."

While Sharum has already made his commitment, prospects like Taylor and Mathis are mulling over their offers.

"Lane is a 6-3, 310-pounder who could play center or guard," Wager said. "He's also played some defensive tackle. We just moved him to center two days ago. From a recruiting aspect, I think that shows his great versatility as an athlete. He's just a big physical athletic offensive lineman."

Wager says that his big offensive lineman has already picked up three scholarship offers from Colorado State, Utah, and Kansas. He also mentioned that Taylor is wide open in terms of favorites.

Running back Mathis is also on the board with his first offer from Tulsa.

"He's about 6-foot-1, 205, and he's a guy that will pound the ball," Wager said. "Breaks tackles – that's what he does best."

With just one year under his belt at the 5A level, Wager says he would hesitate in comparing this group to others he's coached. Regardless, he says it's very impressive.

"That's hard for me to say," Wager said. "This is my first time coaching at the 5A level. WE had six Division I signees last year and eight scholarships total. It was a breakthrough for Martin High School and certainly a breakthrough for me.

"I would rank this class at least in my short tenure as a head football coach as the premier class that I've ever been around."