re: Class of 2017 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Say Your Goodbyes Edition

Posted on 11/4/16 at 11:09 am to TideSaint

Posted by TideSaint

Hill Country

Member since Sep 2008

76033 posts

Posted on 11/4/16 at 11:09 am to TideSaint

quote:
Asa Martin is apparently returning to Austin High in Decatur.

The running back played this fall at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, but he tweeted earlier tonight that he plans to return to Austin, where he emerged as a star as sophomore in 2015. He will presumably be eligible to play for the Black Bears in 2017.

Martin thanked IMG and said it was an "unforgettable experience,

"There is nothing like home, playing football and making memories with the people you love the most," he wrote on Twitter, "so I am transferring back to Austin High School."

Martin becomes the second Alabama player to have a short stay at IMG.

Buckhorn linebacker Will Ignont transferred to IMG in January – at the same time as Martin – but stayed only a few months and then returned to Buckhorn, where he played his senior season.

Martin, a 6-foot, 190-pounder, is a four-star prospect, according to 247sports Composite, and is the 11th-best running back nationally in the Class of 2018.

It's unclear if Martin will finish the season with IMG (9-0), which is scheduled to play Chaminade-Madonna on Saturday. IMG has three more games on its schedule. Immediate efforts to reach Martin failed, and Austin is playing Pell City tonight in the first round of the 2016 Class 6A playoffs.

"We love Asa to death. He's a great young man. He's a great athlete," Austin coach Jeremy Perkins after tonight's 41-19 victory over Pell City. "It'll be great to see him wearing orange and black again. However, I do want to point out my focus right now is the current football team and what they're doing and making a strong playoff run."

Martin is the second leading rusher for IMG with 372 yards and four touchdowns on 49 carries in eight games. He also has 17 catches for 325 yards.

As a sophomore at Austin, Martin ran for 1,374 yards and 12 touchdowns while helping the Black Bears reach the Class 6A semifinals. He also started at safety and was a special teams ace with five blocked kicks.