Small in stature, Max Martinez has come up big for Stony Brook's defense
Stony Brook defensive back Max Martinez, left, and defensive back Winston Longdon tackle Towson University wide receiver Brian Dowling in the first half of a game at LaValle Stadium. (Sept. 28, 2013) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
As difficult as the 2014 football season has been for Stony Brook, the Seawolves have been able to hang their hat on the fourth-ranked defense in FCS in yards allowed (266.5) and points (14.3). And the silver lining is that SBU returns eight starters next season.
One of the three starters graduating is the smallest piece on the unit in terms of stature, at 5-9 and 195 pounds, but safety Max Martinez has been a big part of the Seawolves' success the past two seasons since transferring from Butler Community College in Kansas.
Martinez, fellow safety Christian Ricard and cornerback Davonte Anderson will close out their Stony Brook careers Saturday afternoon at Albany (6-5, 2-5 Colonial Athletic Association) with the Seawolves (5-6, 4-3) attempting to achieve a winning conference record.
"It's been awesome, especially when you get everybody out there making plays," Martinez said of his defensive teammates. "We're all having fun. That's the cool thing for me, and that's when you become successful, is when everybody is doing their job and we're flying around. I'm just happy to be a part of all those guys, and I'm glad to end my season this way."
The native of Wichita, Kansas, was recruited almost as an afterthought and took a leap of faith.
"It came out of leftfield," Martinez said of the opportunity. "I had a few different schools look at me, and Stony Brook came through later on. It was very appealing that it was so far away from home. New York City is right in the backyard. It was like taking a jump off a bridge."
Martinez's height concerned most schools, but if anyone was going to take a chance on him, it was Seawolves coach Chuck Priore, who is slightly shorter than Martinez but had a great college career as an Albany running back.
"We thought he might be too short, but he played at a high level, tackled well, showed athleticism," Priore said. "We told him to come up here, and if we liked him, we'd offer him.
"I said, 'If you're shorter than me, I'm not offering you.' It was close."
Martinez and Ricard figure to play key roles in trying to contain current Great Danes running back Omar Osbourne, the CAA's third-leading rusher with 1,045 yards and six touchdowns.
"Our safeties have a big impact on the run game," Martinez said. "It's important to be able to come down in the box. We want to contain the big plays and get to third down."
Priore nominated his three graduating defensive backs for all-CAA honors. Anderson has tied Stony Brook's career record with 15 interceptions and Ricard and Martinez have provided leadership and toughness.
"My two safeties are the best safeties in the league," Priore said. "Max and Ricard are the smartest kids we've ever worked with. They're lifesavers."
Greg Logan has worked for Newsday since 1982 covering a wide array of sports and events, currently including the Brooklyn Nets beat.
