Sports

Martinek Blazes 40-Yard Dash at Rutgers Pro Day

Hopatcong football star Joe Martinek puts on show for NFL coaches, scouts.

Hopatcong football star Joe Martinek burned it up Wednesday.

The Rutgers University fullback blazed a 4.40-second 40-yard dash during the Scarlet Knights' pro day at Highpoint Solutions Stadium in New Brunswick. The highlight run came on his second attempt. Martinek's first try was a 4.50.

Martinek hopes to follow the footsteps of former Rutgers fullback Brian Leonard, whom the St. Louis Rams drafted in the second round in 2007. In the past, Martinek has cited Leonard as a friend and inspiration.

Find out what's happening in Hopatcong-Spartawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

By comparison, Leonard ran a 4.49-second 40-yard dash in college. Martinek's 40 time would have been in a three-way tie for eighth-best at the combine, alongside South Carolina cornerback Stephen Gilmore and Miami's Lamar Miller, a running back, and wide receiver Tommy Streeter.

Martinek also had a strong showing in other areas at the Rutgers showcase.

Find out what's happening in Hopatcong-Spartawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The all-time New Jersey high school rushing leader (7,586 yards; 80 touchdowns) also bench pressed 225 pounds 26 times; recorded a 32 1/4-inch vertical jump; ran the 20-yard shuttle in 4.9 seconds; zipped through the 60-yard shuttle in 11.34 seconds; finished the three-cone drill in 6.68 seconds; and nailed a 9-foot-8 broad jump.

Martinek, who led Hopatcong to a 2006 state title, spent three years as a Rutgers running back before coverting to fullback in 2011. The former Chief rushed for 1,770 yards on 391 carries and scored 17 touchdowns for the Scarlet Knights.

Click the PDF on the right for the full list of Rutgers pro day results.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here