Stong leg kicker is clutch

One of the most overlooked positions when getting a scholarship is that of place-kicker and or punter. This is strange because how many games are decided by special teams. Whether it is a booming punt that gets a team out horrible field position or a gut-wrenching last second field goal to win the game.

One place-kicker to keep your eye on is Neil Martin (5-9, 165, 4.7) from Gilroy, Calif.

Martin has been starting place-kicker for Gilroy since his Sophomore season. He was honorable mention all-league as a sophomore and the only kicker nominated for all-league status

As junior, Martin was even better. He earned second-team all-league and once again was the only kicker nominated for all-league status. He was even second in voting for Utility Player of the Year of the league and to top it off, Martin was the first kicker ever nominated for this honor.

Martin hit on 33-36 PATs, and was 5-9 field goals (19, 20, 26, 29, 37). He was the third ranked kicker in the very tough Central Coast Section (CCS).

Besides a strong and accurate leg the most important thing a kicker can possess is poise during crunch time. Martin kicked two field goals and one PAT against the defending CCS Division I champion Palma (at Palma) in a Gilroy to a 29-22 win. He also had a clutch performance with two more field goals (26 yard and 37 yard) and one PAT versus Independence (at Indy) in a 13-6 playoff win.

Martin is a hard worker in the weight room with and has a 410-pound squat.

"Neil is one of the best place kickers to come out of Gilroy High School," Gilroy coach Darren Yafai said. "He has a tenacious work ethic (on the field and in the weight room) and thrives on pressure situations. Neil is a great student and a pleasure to coach."

UCLA, California, Stanford, San Diego State, UNLV, and Utah are all showing interest.

Martin is a great student, too with a 4.15 GPA while taking AP classes and is ranked 16th out of a class of 556.