Durrah new 'ball-hawking' leader for East Hamilton

photo Martez Durrah

East Hamilton receiver and defensive back Martez Durrah is the No. 6-ranked college football prospect among area high school seniors. Durrah, who has offers from Tennessee State, Middle Tennessee State and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and interest also from Indiana, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, East Tennessee State, Eastern Kentucky, Kennesaw State and Auburn, sat down with the Times Free Press recently before the start of his final prep season.

Q: What is your biggest attribute on the football field?

A: "I think I do a good job of leading teammates. That, plus being at the ball -- ball-hawking and making tackles."

Q: You had so many seniors on the team last year. What did you learn from them?

A: "Not to get your head down when you give up the big play, and to be a leader for the young guys. I worked with Tre [Herndon, now at Vanderbilt], and he taught me a lot about being a leader on the team and not get your head down. There were a couple of games we were down early, but we got back in it, and a lot was because he had so much energy, always kept going and had a sense of urgency."

Q: There are some people that compare your skill set with that of Tre. What do you say about that?

A: "I don't think I'm completely like him, but I'm not different, either. We kind of grew up together and worked out a lot together, so maybe our styles are similar."

Q: Last year your team was the overwhelming favorite to win the district. This year you were picked third. Would you rather be the hunter or the hunted?

A: "I liked being the hunted, but I also like the underdog. It gives us something to look forward to during the season."

Q: You've said if you weren't playing sports in 10 years, you'd be singing your life away. What would the song be?

A: "I really just meant I'd be enjoying my life. I didn't mean I'd really be singing."

Q: Come on now. You know you have a song in mind!

A: (laughing) "It would most definitely be a Drake song. I don't know which one it would be, because songs usually just come to my head and he has a lot of good ones."

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