Lubbock-Cooper Alum Scores First Collegiate Touchdown Against Houston

Nehemiah Martinez started his high school career at New Deal before transferring to Lubbock-Cooper. Due to UIL and district rules, he had to play JV in his first season at Lubbock-Cooper. Martinez played both running back and wide receiver as part of a dynamic duo with Isaiah Johnson.

In his lone season as a Pirate on their varsity squad, Martinez helped lead them to the Class 5A-Division 2 Semifinals before being eliminated by Aledo. Martinez was electric when he got on the field for the Pirates, logging 977 yards rushing with 18 touchdowns on the ground while catching 26 passes for 499 yards and four touchdowns. After the season, Martinez was named the Class 5A-District 3 MVP and tabbed as the Lone Star Varsity Offensive Player of the Year by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

Martinez was great his senior year at Cooper, but even better as a sophomore at New Deal. As the Lions' stud, he ran for 2,004 yards and 27 touchdowns. Martinez also played both ways at New Deal locking in 62 tackles and intercepting 7 passes. He was also named the District MVP that season.

Martinez committed to Air Force following his senior season and went to the prep school before de-committing and choosing to return home to his local university as a walk-on. Martinez got to Texas Tech in the spring 2021 and played in 11 of the 13 games last season.

With the new coaching staff, Martinez shined at the Spring Game, scoring a touchdown after bouncing off a would-be tackler. In the second game of the regular season against the University of Houston, he did the same exact thing and scored his first touchdown as a Red Raider.