NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Daniel Martinez, K, Wayland Baptist

What is your name?

Daniel Martinez

What is your Height/Weight?

5’10 / 205

What is your position?

Kicker

Where do you play college football?

Wayland Baptist University

Where are you from?

Metapan, El Salvador

Who is your role model, and why?

My Dad, because he has been a great example on guiding me through the right path. He is a hard, strong working man. Who has faced a lot obstacles in his personal life as well together and he has taught me that life is not easy, and not fair sometimes. But, we have been able to overcome every conflict we have faced. Because of him, I am the person who I am right now. He has helped me be mature enough for me to follow my dreams and to never give up on anything I want to accomplish. The discipline he has with everything in general, it has helped reflected on myself. Because of everything he has gone through, all the suffering and the conflicts he overcame to just give me and my sister a better life. He never gives up on something so easy that’s one of the main reason I will always look up to him

Who was your favorite teacher?

In high school my favorite teacher was my AVID instructor, Crystal Morrow and my counselor who helped me through all my senior year is Ms. Dunlap. In college my favorite teacher was Dr. Cindy McClenagan and Dr. Joshua Mora.

Did you play any other sports growing up?

Yes, since I was 4 years old I have played soccer. Which happened to be my main sport and actually had the opportunity to be at a Pro level.

Who was the toughest player you ever faced?

Tre Hawkins, Junior DB from Lyon College.

He was the special team returner.

Who is the most underrated player on your team?

De’Sean Johnson – RB

What is the one song that would fire you up before the biggest game of your life?

La Gozadora by Gente de Zona or Vivir mi Vida by Marc Anthony

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why?

Dan Bailey from the Dallas Cowboys. I would compare myself to him because how consistence he is with his kicks and he has a strong leg but the main reason is because he is really good in long distance Field goals. I have the same longest field goal as him (56 –yrd)

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it?

Losing a lot of other opportunities like D1 offers for soccer and football. When everything looked like it was good, while my senior year I had over 20 offers to play at the next level either for soccer and football. Being one of the top goal keeper and kicker in the state, being athlete of the year in my high school, one of the top athletes with highest academics honors. The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was me leaving USA back in 2014 to my country without me being able to anything about it. Leaving my dad by himself wasn’t easy to the point I got into depression. The way I overcome was seeking for God and praying a lot about it and let him take control over everything.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Yes, I usually do a lap around the stadium picturing all the good things that can happen.

I do like a walk through on kicking field goals.

And I am always dancing around because it keeps me motivated.

What was the most memorable play of your collegiate career?

When I hit a 56 yard FG twice in my sophomore year and senior year.

What is the coolest thing you ever did off the field for someone else?

Going to talk to little kids who they look up to you, helped them and courage them to do good in school and life. To make them feel special in this world.

Who was your favorite NFL team growing up?

Dallas Cowboys

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose?

Jennifer Lopez, Carmen Villalobos, and Dan Bailey