YSU has offerred Tampa Robinson RB Martin Ruiz. Ruiz had an "excellent" visit this past week per his coach (via Twitter).
A couple of stories
http://www.tampabay.com/hometeam/blog/state-football-knights-rb-ruiz-leaves-impression-godby-coach/15971/TAMPA — Ronnie Cottrell freed himself from a pair of beaming parents, eluded reporters holding microphones and cut a beeline toward one of the forlorn Robinson Knights standing near the end zone Friday.
The Tallahassee Godby head coach swiftly sidled up to the player he was looking for, running back Martin Ruiz.
“Keep your head up,” Cottrell told Ruiz. “You’re going to college to play.”
Cottrell, referred to in some circles as the “architect of the Florida State dynasty,” knows a college football recruit when he sees one.
In the 1990s, Cottrell brought some of the nation’s most talented players to Tallahassee: Derrick Brooks, Marvin Jones and William Floyd. Today, Cottrell is coaching at least a half-dozen college prospects, including senior running back and Kentucky commit Khalid Davis.
But Cottrell said he saw something special in Ruiz, who rushed for 56 yards and caught a pass for 20 more.
“He’s just a tremendous player,” Cottrell said. “He’s one of the best RBs I’ve ever seen at this level.
“He makes yards when there’s no yards. He was the difference in the first half.”
Ruiz, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior who finished the season with nearly 1,600 yards of offense and 17 touchdowns, received his first college offer this week, to Youngstown (Ohio) State.
Robinson coach Mike DePue said he expects more offers in the following weeks.
“That’s my job now,” said DePue, who coached his final game Friday.
From earlier in the season:
http://bigcountypreps.com/181/robinsons-martin-ruiz-best-kept-secret/73 yards per game – Doesn’t make you jump out your seat
12 carries per game – Doesn’t sound look like the workhorse
4 rushing TD – Seen better
BUT…add the above, to the following
6.3 yards per rush – That’s a first down every other carry
118 receiving yards and 3 receiving TDs – Shows he can be a threat as a receiver
12 solo tackles – versatile enough to be impact on both sides of the ball
1 INT, 1 CF and 1 FR – Is often around the football
24.4 yards per KOR – Good chance the offense will have good field position
8 total TDs – Has a nose for the goal line
Martin Ruiz, Robinson 2013 ATH is not the star studded RB. He does not draw lots of attention from the opposing teams or college coaches. He is one of those guys who has really good skills, team oriented and just does what ever needs to get done for his team to win.
The 5-11/190lbs senior does not have a scholarship offer yet, but is hopeful some university will come calling for his talent. His numbers this season are solid. It doesn’t help that his time on the field is limited to the success of his team. The Robinson Knights are 5-0 and have often had such a big spread on their opponent that Ruiz is replaced at some point in the game. The defense and special teams have scored so much, that his time on offense is reduced and his stats on offense, have not been eye popping.
Currently, Ruiz feels that South Florida is showing him the most recruiting attention. He is also getting looks from Florida International, Western Kentucky and Purdue. “I’ll go play ball anywhere”, says Ruiz. “I think I’m an aggressive runner and just want a chance”.