Trust the process.
That simple phrase has helped Fresno, California quarterback Adrian Martinez, as more and more schools have offered in recent months. Two weeks removed from his most recent visit to Tennessee, Martinez is now trusting his gut with his decision to commit to the Vols on Friday.
"When I was there, I knew it was special and I had a feeling it was the place I wanted to be," Martinez said. "I promised myself and promised my dad that I wasn't going to make a rash and emotional decision. I wanted to make sure it was everything I wanted and needed after I returned home and could think about it. Once I did, all the pros became more evident in my eyes.
"There wasn't a reason to not make it happen."
Tennessee beat out California, Oregon, Oklahoma, Alabama and others that came strong during the final months and weeks before his announcement for the Vols — a decision Martinez would have never foreseen just a few months ago.
"If I'm being honest, when the process started I never would have thought I'd end up at Tennessee," he explained.
"That's not because I thought it was a terrible place. I just always thought I'd end up staying in the Pac-12 and play out here. Once I got outside of that and had the chance to experience the atmosphere at Tennessee, I knew it was special. I want to be a part of the best that college football has to offer and I think Tennessee and the SEC definitely offer that."
The connection that he felt on his visit left quite the impression. It was players, coaches and fans who left him picking his jaw up off the ground. He spent time with current commitments and other prospects. And while that was a positive, the most steady part of the process was his dialogue with the Tennessee staff.
"The connection that I have with coach (Mike) Canales, coach (Butch) Jones and coach (Larry) Scott is unmatched with the other schools," Martinez said. "They have been consistent throughout the whole process. They jumped on board before some of the other schools and they haven't switched up on me. They have been consistent and that speaks volumes to my dad and I. I think there are good connections there and I think I can do really special things there."
Specifically, it was Canales who put his brand of positivity into the recruitment of Martinez.
"I don't think you have ever heard a bad word about coach Canales," Martinez said. "I know I haven't. He left such a great impression on myself and my family. He's been nothing but positive and motivating throughout this whole thing. I've hit some adversity and he's never changed. He was constantly positive and I felt like he was genuine and cared about me. I want to go to place that cares about their players.
"When I sat in the quarterback room without him in there, all the quarterbacks talked about how much he loves them as people and not just football. That's huge."
Martinez is fully-aware of the success that Tennessee has had with West Coast quarterbacks. He's known Tyler Bray and is aware of Casey and Rick Clausen, plus Erik Ainge. He thinks he can bring plenty to Rocky Top, too.
"I think leadership and work ethic," Martinez said. "I'm going to work my butt off to earn the respect of the team. I want to give that good example and be a vocal leader. Just be an extension of the coach, but not in a way where the other players can't talk to me. I think it's my leadership and being level headed. During the games, I never get to high or to low. Interceptions don't rattle me. I think I stay very level headed."
Martinez stands tall in the pocket and has great footwork with a big arm. He loves to work and is constantly working to improve his game and craft his skills to mirror another famous quarterback.
"I want to be an Aaron Rodgers type," Martinez said. "He's mobile enough to frustrate defenses and get a first down and scramble and make a play, but he makes his money in the pocket and throw on the run. That's what I want to resemble and that's what I want to be like."
