The more records Joe Martinek set as a running back at small-school Hopatcong High, the more he seemed to reinforce the popular scouting report about him: superior athlete, inferior competition.
So it didn't surprise a lot of football folks after he was recruited by Rutgers that he was switched to safety -- before even setting foot on campus.
There was healthy skepticism everywhere about his video game numbers.
Those skeptics are harder to find now. Certainly there are fewer on Rutgers' starting defense after Martinek ripped off a 25-yard touchdown run against the first unit to highlight another strong individual performance during 11-on-11 drills at spring practice yesterday.
"It felt good," said Martinek, a 6-0, 215-pound redshirt freshman. "I can't complain. I wasn't touched at all. I had a clean path to the end zone. The offensive line did a good job."
Funny how running back success seems to keep finding Martinek, though.
The state's 2006 Gatorade Player of the Year finished high school as New Jersey's career rushing leader with 7,589 yards, posted consecutive 2,000-yard season and ran for 396 yards in one game, yet wasn't considered a major college prospect at the position.
These days, he's in the mix in the tailback competition to replace Ray Rice.
Martinek has a long way to go -- he's still fourth on a four-man depth chart behind Kordell Young, Mason Robinson and Jourdan Brooks -- but he's in the discussion when many thought he was out of his league.
"Basically, how I do depends on how hard I work," said Martinek. "How I do in the weight room, how I study, learning the offense. It's up to me. The results we'll see on the field."
So far the results have moved Martinek from tailback afterthought to someone who deserves a longer look.
He even turned in a nifty 20-yard run during the lengthy practice at Rutgers Stadium.
"I think the thing about making the step to the next level is a lot (about) confidence," he said. "I haven't played in a game and I haven't really gotten looks with the first or second team before this. Now the pressure is on me. I put pressure on myself to do well. Once I gain confidence and learn the system, things will come to me a lot more naturally."
Martinek said he wasn't insulted when he was told he would be tried on defense first, his dazzling high school career notwithstanding.
"Not at all," he said. "What was important to me was to get in and play. Any way to help the team win, I'm all for it."
When Young went down with a season-ending knee injury in the third game, Martinek approached head coach Greg Schiano and volunteered to return to running back on the scout team, because depth was suddenly an issue at the position.
"We talked about that possibility previously when he was recruiting me," said Martinek, who redshirted last year. "He said he'd give me a shot on the scout team."
Martinek impressed there. His spring showing has been a continuation of that -- except he is also auditioning for playing time. The burden of being the state's career rushing leader, and the accompanying expectations, are not something he carries around with him, either.
"That was my past. That's behind me," he said. "That was high school. Now I'm at the next step. To me, I haven't done anything in college yet so I have to prove myself all over again."
Schiano gave the extended practice session, which featured 11-on-11, 7-on-7, pass rush drills and individual drills, mixed reviews. There were five mishandled snaps on the center-quarterback exchange, although four occurred when Caleb Ruch got in his first work this spring at center. Ruch, seen as an emergency center only, is currently the starter at right guard.
"There were too many penalties, too many turnovers," Schiano said. "They played hard but we were sloppy. They gave effort. When you start with that and there's enthusiasm you can build off that. We just have to get more precise."
The gusting 17 to 22 mph winds played havoc with the kicking game, with place-kicker San San Te missing both of his field-goal attempts -- one a 40-yarder that fluttered meekly into the wind.
Redshirt freshman Manny Abreu continues to impress at strongside linebacker. The redshirt freshman, a highly regarded recruit, is coming off hip surgery. ... FS Courtney Greene is getting the Brian Leonard-Ray Rice spring treatment. He spent most of the day as a spectator. Star WRs Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood also sat out the 11-on-11 session so Schiano could look at some young wideouts.
Tom Luicci may be reached
at tluicci@starledger.com