Martinez moves up at corner

He is getting reps with the first team while waiting for the flood of new recruits to arrive

After floating around the practice field for a couple of years, A.J. Martinez finally feels at home.

The Hawaii junior dabbled at safety early in his career, returned kicks for a while, and crossed over to receiver last season. But he's settled in at cornerback this spring, the position he excelled at as a high school standout in Southern California.

"I had to dust the rust off, but once I got back into it it's just like riding a bike," Martinez said.

Although the Warriors' season opener against Alabama is still five months away, UH's spring practice represents a critical juncture for Martinez and his aspirations of lining up against the Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 2.

Martinez, who hasn't played a down at cornerback in college, is getting a long look with the first unit, and a solid spring figures to give him the edge over a group of incoming DBs slated to arrive for fall camp.

"He's going to be so much further ahead of the other guys, his attitude has to be it's his job and he's not going to relinquish it," UH defensive backs coach Rich Miano said. "I think A.J. realizes that no matter who comes in it's his job to keep in terms of hustling, making plays, not making mental mistakes. So his opportunity is golden."

Martinez was a heralded prospect coming out of Edison High School in Huntington Beach, Calif., where he earned All-California Interscholastic Federation honors in 2001.

But after signing with UH, an English credit kept him from qualifying right away. He redshirted his first year, and academic issues again kept him off the field the following season. He worked his way back onto the roster last year and is now positioning himself for a starting job.

"Of course it's frustrating wanting to do something and then just hitting little bumps along the road," he said. "But in the end, it's all worth it."

Martinez didn't see much playing time early last season as a backup safety, but got a chance to contribute when the UH coaches decided to give him a shot as a kick returner midway through the season.

Martinez set the tone for UH's 49-28 win over New Mexico State in October by returning the opening kickoff 67 yards to set up the Warriors' first score. A 44-yard return later in the game led to another UH touchdown.

He later traded in a green practice jersey for white when he moved to receiver. Learning the reads and routes UH receivers must master in the run-and-shoot proved daunting, but also gave Martinez an insight to the mind-set of playing offense.

"I think it helps, because now I know the mentality and I can kind of get in their heads and have a good idea of what they're doing," he said.

Back on defense this spring, Martinez delights in delivering hits again rather than absorbing them, and breaks into a wide grin when talking about being locked up with a receiver in man coverage.

"Not to be cocky or anything, but I do enjoy the challenge and going one-on-one with the best guys out there and seeing what they've got and giving them what I've got," he said.

With just two years of eligibility left, Martinez began training for next season shortly after the Warriors ended a 5-7 campaign last December and entered the spring buffed up to 185 pounds on his 5-foot-11 frame and eager to compete for a starting job.

"Right after the season ended you had to get on it," he said. "You could take maybe a week off then start running and lifting again and get focused for Alabama."

Said Miano: "I think A.J. came out this spring with the attitude that he's the No. 1 corner. He's much more focused, he's hustling, his technique is better, just his whole attitude is better.

"He has the ability to help us next year and could end up starting for us, so I think he's seeing the proverbial gold at the end of the rainbow."