NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Johnnie Martin, WR, Millersville University

• Name: Johnnie Martin

• Height: 5100

• Weight: 180

• Position: Wide Receiver

• College: Millersville University

• Twitter: @JShowTimeMartin

Tell us about your hometown, and what you love most about it?

• I grew up in Lancaster city until the 8th grade and moved to Mount Joy. Lancaster is a pretty small city where everyone pretty much knows everyone. I love the city life and the many restaurants they have to eat from. Mount Joy is an even smaller town and I love the support people show you growing up.

List these three in order of importance and why: Film Study, Strength and Conditioning and Practice?

• 

1 Strength and conditioning 2 Practice 3 Film study. I have strength and conditioning first because you HAVE to possess the physical tools first for the other tools to have their full impact. Practice is second because I realized as you move up levels you really do play how you practice. So practice is very vital. Although I have film study as three it is just as important as #1. Although there have been times in my career where I watched zero films and dominated. But I realize at the pro level film study is very crucial for picking apart the DB’s technique.

What do you worry about, and why?

• I honestly try my hardest to pray on things and let the rest be wit TMH GOD. I try not to worry about what I can’t truly control.

Give me an example of when you failed at something. How did you react and how did you overcome failure?

• I faced a lot of failure in my life. But I do not look at it like that. I look at it as lessons learned. When I didn’t meet the requirements to go D-1 after HS I was really sad about it. But I decided to go to a prep school to improve my SATs scores and I did that. I also received D-1 offers and committed to Akron university in March 2013.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?

• I would say my teammates would say my work ethic is unmatched. I push them to want to be better as well.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

• Best player I ever played AGAINST in a game was Kyzir White in JUCO. He had a pretty good hit on me that game. But every day at my prep school (Hargrave) I went up against guys like Shaq Lawson, Leonard Floyd, Mike Tyson, Cordrea Tankersley, John Atkins, Brian Nance, LJ Lister, Dominique Reed, which most are in the NFL And played the highest level of college ball.

What would your career be if you couldn’t play football? 

• If I didn’t play or couldn’t play football I would be helping other athletes achieve their dreams.

Room, desk and car – which do you clean first?

• My room first, car, then desk last because I like to keep that stuff organized.

If there was a disaster and you could either save three strangers or one family member, which would you choose and why?

• I would have to say, my family, just because I couldn’t be at a family event and everyone looks at me funny because I let one of their loved ones die over someone they don’t even know.

Tell me about your biggest adversity in life and how you’ve dealt with or overcome it?

• My biggest adversity was when I lost my dad to cancer in May of 2013. I was given a 6-month notice after returning from my prep school that he was going to die soon. I was really depressed. That’s when I needed him the most. When I lost him, I felt like a part of me was lost too. I gave up my d-1 scholarship and everything else for a short while. I didn’t know how to cope with it at first. Thanks to my family’s and friends I was able to realIze me playing football is what he would want. So I got back into it and haven’t looked back yet. My big bother Josh was like a role model for me. And I’m thankful he was there in my life to keep me level headed. I’m in a way better place now.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

• Most embarrassing moment was probably when I told everyone about the schools that wanted me but couldn’t go because my grades weren’t there. I kind of felt like let down. And all that playing around in HS early years kicked in. I had to learn the hard way.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

• The most memorable play was probably my first career college TD on the school I last played for (Millersville). I was coming off a PCL tear and back 7 months later after the doctor told me my career was over.

What song best describes your work ethic?

• I would say ambition by Wale. 

What is the most important trait you can have (Physical or Non-Physical) to help you succeed at the next level? 

• MINDSET. If you don’t have that lion mindset you are really just food. Everyone has the physical tools at the pro level but the mindset is what is gonna separate you.

If you could bring one person back from the dead for one day, who would it be and why?

• I would bring my dad back. He would be able to give me a lot of advice. And the way my college career went. It would of been different if he was alive.

If you were to open a dance club, what would you name it? 

• “BREAK IT DOWN” 

Who is the most overrated player in the NFL? 

• Most overrated? I know people are gonna hate me for it, but TOM BRADY. I said it.

Would you rather be liked or respected, and why?

• I’d rather be respected because a lot of people use kindness for weakness.

What player who had his career derailed by off-field issues do you feel for the most and why?

• JOSH GORDON. That man is talented. Sad to see stuff like that happen. I hope it works out for him even if it ain’t catching a football.

Do you love to win, or hate to lose?

• I honestly hate to lose. Winning is expected for me. That’s why I train. I can’t stand to lose.

Who has been the biggest influence on your life and explain why?

• My older brother Josh has been the biggest influence in my life. After I lost my dad he helped me deal with stuff and how. Idk what I would do without him. I’m just blessed TMH allowed us to be so close after now growing up together and having different moms. Few others helped too. But he was the MAIN one.