| Martelius Epps |
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 | Class:
Senior
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| Hometown:
Daingerfield, Texas
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| High School:
Daingerfield HS
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| Height / Weight:
5-10 / 186
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| Position:
Tailback
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| Birthdate:
07/21/1985
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| Experience:
3L
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| Pronunciation:
mar-TELL-lee-us
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NEW MEXICO:
Promising tailback who is one of several players in the mix to replace UNM all-time leading rusher DonTrell Moore this fall...finished the spring atop the depth chart and could be a surprising force on offense once he masters the new system...has elite, game-breaking speed, hits the hole hard and is not afraid to run between the tackles...lack of size limits his blocking ability, but has good hands and is a receiving threat out of the backfield...similar size and abilities as former TB Quincy Wright, who set the UNM single-game rushing record in 2002...has lettered twice for his work on special teams...played safety and cornerback his first two years, but moved over to tailback in the spring of `05...suffered a severe high ankle sprain midway through the spring, however, which slowed the pace of his development a bit...
boasts a UNM all-sports record 43 1/2-inch vertical jump and 4.35 time in the 40...has improved dramatically in the weight room since arriving at UNM and is pound-for-pound one the most powerful players on the team...earned the team's Beefmaster Award for players weighing less than 200 pounds in 2005...soft-spoken, but is confident in his ability and eager to make an impact on gameday...first name is pronounced mar-TAY-lee-us...coaches and teammates just call him Tay.
2005 (SOPHOMORE): Saw most of his action in 10 games on special teams, but made his offensive debut late in the game against New Mexico State...rushed three times for five yards and caught a pass for a short gain.
2004 (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN): Was a solid defensive contributor off the bench early in the season...recorded 3 tackles and 3 QB hurries blitzing off the edge from his safety position...switched to corner mid-season and worked hard to learn the position in practice...played in all 12 games and emerged as a solid special teams player...blocked a punt at Air Force which was recovered by teammate Joe Selander and returned for a 46-yard TD.
HIGH SCHOOL:
2003 graduate of Daingerfield (Texas) HS...all-state safety in Class 3A by the Texas Sportswriters as a senior...had 49 solo tackles, 36 assists and 4 interceptions...also a blocked PAT on the final play of the game that gave Daingerfield a 21-20 victory over Celina, halting that school's 68-game winning streak...all-conference and all-district running back as well for head coach Randy McFarlin...rushed 67 times for 453 yards and 5 TDs.
PERSONAL:
Born July 21, 1985, in Dallas...age is 21...full name is Martelius Deshon Epps...son of Walter Epps and Kelly and Sheila Woodard...major is English.
