Countdown to Kickoff: 1 Day - #1 Elijer Martinez

It's now 1 day until kickoff of Catamount football at Western Carolina's E.J. Whitmire Stadium. The Catamounts open the season on Thursday, August 30, 2012 against Mars Hill College.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown.

#1 Elijer Martinez 

Class: Senior
Hometown: Decatur, Ga.
High School: Cartersville HS
Height / Weight: 5-9 / 180
Position: DB



2011 (Junior): Played in all 11 games making nine starts including the first five of the season and the final three games of the year ... Finished tied for 10th on the team with a career-best 32 tackles including 21 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss - all coming against Furman ... Ranked second on the squad with four pass break-ups ... Made his first collegiate interception against The Citadel, returning the pick 16 yards ... Finished with a career-high seven tackles against nationally-ranked Wofford ... Recorded an interception in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2010 (Sophomore): Played in all 11 games including five appearances in the starting lineup ... Made his first collegiate start at Chattanooga, finishing with a then career-high four tackles including three solo stops ... Recorded 17 tackles on the season including 11 unassisted stops with one pass break-up coming against Samford ... Posted at least one tackle in nine of the 11 games on the season.

2009 (Freshman): Saw action in eight games, predominantly on special teams ... Missed the final three games of the season with a shoulder injury ... Finished with three total tackles including one solo stop and two assisted hits ... Posted a then career-best two tackles in the season-opener at SEC-foe, Vanderbilt. Prior to Western: Played both quarterback and defensive back as a senior for Cartersville HS and head coach Frank Barden ... Rushed for 188 yards and four touchdowns, adding four catches for 121 yards and a pair of TDs on offense during his prep career ... Also completed 21-of-39 pass attempts in his final season for 275 yards and two TD passes ... Tallied 61 total tackles including a pair of sacks and five interceptions on defense for Cartersville HS.

Personal: Full name is Elijer Rashid Martinez ... Is the son of Jose Martinez and Deffie Lawrence ... Has three younger siblings; Denario, Rayven and Crystal.

Courtesy WCU Sports Information