LOS ANGELES -- It's hard to believe that at this time last year, Marcus Martin was still strolling the campus of Los Angeles Crenshaw High School. But that year has seen Martin transform from a highly touted offensive line recruit with initial love of basketball into an early college football success story. "I honestly was not big on football growing up," said Martin, whose standout play as a true freshman offensive left guard for the Trojans garnered him 2011 freshman All-American honors.

"I was really more into basketball. I am really just an offensive lineman who is just getting started, but I would eventually like to play in the NFL."

The transition from high school football stud to the physical world of college football is usually an eye-opening experience for any true freshman, but it was more than the physicality that left Martin in awe of this new level of football.

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Greg Katz | email

Columnist, WeAreSC.com

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• USC Trojans columnist
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• Joined ESPN.com in 2011