VALLEY MADE: THE WORK BEHIND PSJA NORTH’S REY MARTINEZ
DITV | Valley Made Player Profile
By the time Rey Martinez opened his Bible at night, he had already put in a full day chasing quarterbacks and a dream.
His parents describe summers that started with school practice, continued in the gym with his Tío Rudy, and finished with training alongside Adonis Cruz at ACT Athletics. Even on holidays, Rey found time for workouts and film.
Rey credits Adonis with helping him keep learning the game and gives his high school coaches their flowers, too. He thanked Marcus Kaufmann, Brett Esparza, and the North coaching staff for believing in him as a freshman and helping him grow into a varsity contributor.
That is the side of PSJA North’s No. 99 we wanted to bring into the spotlight with DITV’s Valley Made series. The plays get your attention. The person makes you want to keep watching.
“As parents, we are proud of the work he puts in, but even more proud of his heart and determination,” his parents shared.
Rey has given Raider fans plenty to celebrate. TexasHSFootball.com’s preseason preview credited the senior defensive tackle with 125 tackles and 30 tackles for loss last season. Against Los Fresnos, he added an interception off a pass tipped by teammate Jacoby Herrera, helping North open district play with a 41–3 win. The Raiders allowed just 148 total yards.
That is production worth celebrating, and Rey is still looking for ways to get better.
During his DITV interview, he explained that feedback from college camps helped shape his offseason. Coaches wanted more explosiveness, so he worked on his get-off while sharpening his hand placement. Now, he wants to become a more effective pass rusher after seeing opportunities he felt he missed against Vela and Laredo United.
His focus stays on how those improvements can help North win. Rey said the bye week helped the defense learn the calls and get more comfortable playing together. As that connection grows, the Raiders are chasing a goal passed down by the players who came before them.
“It’s been State since day one since I got here,” he said.
Rey brings that same ambition to his future. He mentioned UTRGV and Kingsville as schools that interest him because they are close to home, but he is willing to travel wherever an opportunity takes him.
“If they could just give me a chance, I’m taking it.”
For Rey, college football would be another step toward an NFL dream he has held since age five. His family has been beside him throughout that journey.
His father taught him the fundamentals. His mother is helping him navigate recruiting, learning the process alongside him. Tío Rudy started working with him in the weight room before freshman year, helping him build strength and learn about nutrition.
His parents see that gratitude alongside a strong faith. Watching him return to his Bible after long training days has become one of their proudest moments. Sometimes, they said,
“We are his students.”
They want him to chase every opportunity while remembering something that no recruiting decision can change:
“His worth will never be measured by offers, awards, or statistics.”
Rey’s message to younger Raiders reflects what he is trying to live: stay humble, keep working, and....
“Don’t settle for being average.”
His parents will be there for whatever comes next:
“We will always be his biggest fans.”
Wherever Rey Martinez earns his next jersey, the work behind it will always be Valley Made.
Full Interview available on DITV956 Youtube page, link below 👇:
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