Martin down to Hokies, Tar Heels and Blue Devils

Roanoke Rapids DE Kareem Martin, one of the best players in North Carolina yet to commit, has narrowed his choices to Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Duke, his coach said today.

Martin is coming off a remarkable senior year, coach Russell Weinstein said.

“He had 163 tackles, and that’s with people running away from him,” Weinstein said of the 6-foot-6, 235-pound Martin. “Sometimes we’d stand him up at linebacker so they couldn’t do that.”

“He also caused eight fumbles and recovered three, had 25 tackles for loss, had 11 or 12 sacks, blocked two kicks and had an interception.”

Martin was the defensive player of the year in his league for the second straight season.

But there’s more. Used sparingly at receiver, he caught 14 passes for 320 yards and five TDs.

Now it’s basketball season, and in his first game, he had 22 points, 17 rebounds and 12 blocked shots.

Maybe Roy Williams should join Butch Davis on his next recruiting visit to Roanoke Rapids.

--Stan Olson