This evening, Tampa Catholic 2014 offensive tackle, Corey Martinez verbally committed to Florida State over Alabama and Miami. On national TV, Martinez announced his verbal pledge to continue his education and athletic career at FSU.
Martinez holds verbal offers from LSU, Ole Miss, Louisville, Wake Forest, Marshall, Georgia, UCONN, NC State, Boston College, Central Florida, Tennessee, Rutgers, West Virginia, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Miami, Florida State, Kentucky and South Florida.
“I Developed a bond with the coaching staff, my family has been in constant contact with the coaching staff, academic interest and the team they are trying to build,” explains Martinez on why he committed to FSU. Ron Martinez, Corey’s father said, “It was Corey’s dream school since he was a young kid. As his father all I asked was for him to stay open minded and see other schools. At the end, FSU was where he wanted to be and as his mom and dad we are in total support of his choice.
FSU was the first of the top three to offer. Martinez attended summer football camp at FSU each summer since Freshman year. Corey visited Miami last summer for the first time for summer camp which the Canes eventually became the second school to verbally offer Corey of the top three. Alabama was the last of the three schools to verbally offer Martinez. He did not get a chance to visit.
At The Opening, on National TV was the right time for our #8 overall 2014 prospect to make his announcement. “I wanted to commit now because it has been on my mind. I really wanted to go there [Florida State] and the announcement would be on national TV. Florida State is my dream school.”
If Corey sticks with his commitment till signing day, he will become a member of a select group of prospects to sign with FSU from primarily Hillsborough County.
| YEAR | PLAYER | POSITION | HIGH SCHOOL |
| 2001 | Xavier Beitia | K | Jesuit |
| 2002 | Broderick Bunkley | DL | Chamberlain |
| 2003 | Joslin Shaw | RB | Plant City |
| 2006 | Daron Rose | OL | Jefferson |
| 2008 | Carlton Jones | RB | Middleton |
| 2008 | Moses McCray | DL | Hillsborough |
| 2008 | Rhonne Sanderson | OL | Plant |
| 2009 | Demonte McAllister | DL | Alonso |
| 2010 | Christian Green | QB | Tampa Catholic |
| 2011 | James Wilder | ATH | Plant |
| 2011 | Jordan Prestwood | OT | Plant City |
| 2013 | Jeremy Kerr | TE | St. Petersburg |
| 2013 | Ryan Green | ATH | St. Petersburg Catholic |
Another factor for Corey to announce now is because he wanted to focus on his senior year of high school and limit the distractions. Ron Martinez also stated Corey told Coach Jimbo Fisher it was more important to Corey to commit now and hopefully help FSU in the recruiting process. Only time will tell who else from the BCP coverage area will commit to FSU. For now, Martinez is the lone Nole 2014 commit and will play an important role in leading his Crusaders into the playoffs this season.