Wildcat wide receiver Nehemiah Martinez I has become no stranger to attention-grabbing headlines around FCS football.

After an impressive game against the No. 5-ranked University of Central Arkansas, in which Martinez caught seven passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns, he catapulted into the top position in the FCS rankings in receiving yards.

Martinez’s efforts were crucial in ACU’s 41-34 victory. But to him, personal success pales in comparison to the success of his team overall.

“It’s great to be up there,” Martinez said, “but winning a conference championship and a national championship would mean a whole lot more to me than any accolade I can get.”

Coming out of Lubbock Cooper High School, Martinez set a program record with 1,820 accumulated yards during his senior campaign. After that, he committed to play at the Air Force, a short stint that led him back to his hometown of Lubbock. 

When offered a walk-on receiver position at Texas Tech University, he jumped at the opportunity, understanding the stakes that came with it. 

“Knowing as a walk-on, if I don’t perform, I could be off the team. Or if I do perform, I can keep moving up and up,” Martinez said. 

At the end of the 2022 season, he gained a scholarship, but pre-season injuries kept him out for some time, and upon his return, he was unable to work his way back into the solidified rotation.

This led him to join some familiar faces in Abilene like quarterback Maverick McIvor and Head Coach Keith Patterson who had spent time at Tech as well.

“Coming to Abilene was just a God thing,” Martinez said. “It’s like a home away from home.”

In this new home, Martinez finds himself settled in as he has blossomed into a star in Abilene. After his game against Central Arkansas, Martinez found himself leading the FCS in total receiving yards with 611 yards so far in the season.

In this game, he didn’t just set a season-best 202 yards but also took 151 of those yards after the catch, proving his ability to turn short gains into explosive plays. His three touchdown catches of 75 and 70 yards proved pivotal in ACU’s 41-4 victory​ over UCA.

With those stellar individual numbers, however, Martinez gives much credit for his success to teammates who support him and coaches who guide him. 

“Bowie puts us in a position to succeed,” Martinez said. “He keeps it simple and allows us to play fast. He’s always enthusiastic, encouraging, and he preaches confidence in his players. Any day could be any one of our days.”

Although he attributes to the people around him who help him succeed, it is clear that he is a special and important talent for this Wildcat team. 

“He’s just a football player,” Patterson said. “He plays the way he’s supposed to play—one of the most competitive players I’ve been around.”

Nehemiah said he will play “in the here and now” but that his goals do not stop here as he reaches for the top 1.6% of athletes ever to play.

“My ultimate goal is to one day play in the NFL,” Martinez said. “But for now, it’s whatever the team needs me to do to help them win.”