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Recruiting process has been more fatiguing than fun for Utah prep athlete

I don't feel sorry for John Martinez...he's living every football player's dream. To turn down Notre Dame...wow!! But someone gave good advice a long time ago...you need to turn down at least one school before you say yes to anyone else. If you're not interested...you're not. Good for you, John, in not stringing a school along. I hope they are as considerate of you!

The top schools in the nation are begging him to allow them to pay for his schooling (if not more under-the-table gifts) and to play football and we're concerned with him being "tired" of the process? Really? Can we do an article on the average Joe who busts his butt to get into the school he wants and has to get a job during school to pay for it? That's more tiring than it is fun. These athletes are pampered way too much.

I don't want to read about the average Joe like yourself. John worked his butt off to be the player he is and now he's being rewarded for it. Don't blame him for being a good athlete. I get sick and tired of people who have done nothing and want credit for everything. We already have a school system that rewards the average and the high acheiver is left out on his own. It's called "No Child Left Behind". There are so few people that are in John's position, I congradulate him on his work ethic and opportunities.

Ya and while they are at it they could do an article about me washing my car and going to English class, and working at 7-11 after school. Then they can write about what I had for dinner. Dude do really want to read about the average Joe!!.

John, you are a great athlete, but honestly a better person. I have coached John and watched him turn in to a fine young man. He has qualities that any parent, coach or teacher would be proud of. Don't ever listen to naysayers. Few know the work and effort that you have put in. It is kind of like the parable of the talents. I think you have magnified yours. Keep up the good work and hold your head up high. You deserve it!

I wish these blue chips would stay at local schools and not export the states best talent. I understand why they don't but I would hate to see the kid go to the SEC. Splitting the state is bad enough, but USC or Colorado would at least be better than transferring regions to LSU.

think byu, just think it... local school, lots of playing time, and the hometown connection... byu. byu. byu... just think about it...

This is a perfect case against the BCS. Here is a very talented kid and he is not even considering playing locally. All of the teams he has chosen to visit are BCS contenders every year. This is something BYU and Utah can never offer him. Because it is a crooked system.

To Anonymous: BYU and Utah weren't contenders before the BCS. If anything, the two programs have improved since the BCS began. I can remember when BYU brought the modern passing game to the SEC and even when Steve Bartkowski and Cal had perhaps the first shotgun formation ever seen in the SEC. Neither BYU nor Cal won those games but showed the nation what the future of college football would become. You don't see Oklahoma and Alabama lined up in the wishbone and you don't see Georgia and Texas running a wide tackle six defense. So, kudos to those teams of old who competed well, instructed better, and still lost. I don't like the current system either, but it hasn't negatively affected BYU, Utah, Boise St., Fresno St., Hawaii, or any other non BCS schools.

Oh, and Steve, John, Cecil.... whoever makes sure John is wearing an appropriate shirt for photos... burn the Florida shirt and keep a nice black or gold shirt handy for the photo ops!

It's nothing against BYU or Utah, but most players I've talked to do not want to play in the MTN conference. End of story.

It's not the teams in the MTN conference, it's the national exposure, which is Zero!.

Maybe you are forgetting your football history. 1984 BYU son the national championship. 1996 they finished 5th. And the National Championship coach (Steve Spurrier) said BYU is the second best team in the country and we should have played them for the championship. They have also had numerous top 10 finishes before the Bull Crap System took over. So yes they were contenders. Now they are guaranteed to never win a national champioship, again. Every year BYU and Utah lose the best recruits to BCS schools. Last year it was Lyn Katoa, this year it is John Martinez, because the bottom line is those schools can produce a national championship and we cannot.

Anyone that really enjoys this process has to be an egomanic. It is tough.

And for others that think an Atheletic Scholarship is gravy, it is no different than working at 7-11 during school. Early morning weights 4 hr practice missing classes during the season. Believe me it is all WORK.

to all those that still live in a dream world....byu so called championship in 84 was filled with cupcakes and cream filling!!! what a schedule of pastry cakes!! wyoming, usu, utah, utep, colo state, new mex, and that all powerful 6-5 michigan....it best you don't bring it up cougar fans, better to dwell on recent succes, because the good ole 84 thing was a joke on you and all of us...kid go to the pac-10 for better all around football

Why would anyone want to play the the Mountain West when the opportunity presents itself to play in the Pac 10, Big 10 or SEC. Get real guys.

Unless you are wanting a career in the NFL Stay in state and let all of us fans enjoy watching you play. If you play out of state we won't get to watch you play...out of site out of mind. We love watching our HS stars play at our local university/colleges.