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Check out his responses to your questions from this afternoon's chat.
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| Moderator: Martez has arrived. We'll be getting started in just a moment. |
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| Ryan Ochs (Newton): Hey Tez! How do you like the atmosphere on campus as a freshman? Are you attempting to influence other players from Simeon to come to Illinois? |
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Martez Wilson: It's fun and exciting. All the people here are friendly. I am definitely hoping to influence other guys from Simeon to come here and play. |
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| RJ Heninger (Carterville): Yo, Tez, how,s it going? I'm liking the Simeon pipeline continuing. You've been so great on the field this year. What would you prefer more: standing up at the line of scrimmage and getting a huge sack or drifting off into coverage and getting a pick? |
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Martez Wilson: I like doing both of them in the same game. And as a linebacker, it's possible for that to happen. |
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| Tim (St. Louis): Do you see yourself as a stand-up linebacker or as a down defensive end for the Illini in future years? How are you doing adding weight while retaining your speed and athletic ability? |
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Martez Wilson: I see myself as a stand-up linebacker, like Shawn Merriman of the San Diego Chargers. I have gained 10 pounds of muscle since I came down here, and that has actually helped my speed and athletic ability to improve. |
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| Matt (Huntsville, Ala.): How good does it feel to be the leading linebacker in sacks as a freshman? |
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Martez Wilson: I didn't really know that, but it's great. I plan to get many more, as I get more coaching and gain experience and strength. |
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| Mark (Bloomington): Has football always been your game? With your size and athletcism, I could see you being tough on the basketball court. |
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Martez Wilson: I have always loved football. Basketball is just not as physical. |
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| David (Des Moines): You have been awesome on special teams. Is that something you will continue to do in the future, even if you are getting more and more snaps on defense? |
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Martez Wilson: Right now, I'm on almost all of the special teams. As I play more on defense, I may not get in quite as much on special teams. But I really want to stay on the kickoff unit--it's my favorite. |
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| Frank (Galesburg): When are we going to see you get some time on the offensive side of the ball? Have you taken any reps there at practice? |
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Martez Wilson: It's really up to Coach Zook if he wants me to play on offense. He wants to wait until I really learn the defense completely before we talk about that. |
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| Brad (Galesburg): Has it helped you at all to come in behind an All-American-type guy like J Leman? |
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Martez Wilson: Yes. He has really helped me out a lot with my reads on defense. |
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| Nate (Rock Island): Hey, I heard your favorite player was Simeon Rice. Did the fact that he went to Illinois have any bearing on your decision? Did you get to meet him at the spring game? |
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Martez Wilson: No, it didn't influence my decision, but I did get to meet him at the spring game. He's a nice guy. |
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| Ted (Baltimore): Have you always been #2? Is there any special reason why you wear it? |
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Martez Wilson: Actually, I always used to wear #6. But I decided to wear #2, because it's the second-lowest number, and Chris James wears #6. |
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| Tim (Batavia): How do you like Champaign? Is it a tough adjustment from city life? |
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Martez Wilson: I like it in Champaign because it's a nice, quiet town. It's a little tough trying to adapt to life in Champaign, but since it's smaller, it seems like it's easier to get to know people faster. |
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| Kellen (Galesburg): Who on the team are you rooming with? |
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| Ely (Rockford): Ever since I remember, Chicago has always been known more for basketball than football at the high school level. Do you take pride in being one of the guys putting Chicago football back on the map? |
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Martez Wilson: Yes, I do. That's an exciting feeling to have--to know so many people respect me for being a good football player coming out of Chicago. |
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| Marnie (Riverdale): When did you know that you were coming to Illinois? Was there a moment where things just kind of clicked, or what? |
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Martez Wilson: I actually knew three weeks before I commited. It just clicked after so many conversations with Coach Zook and Coach Mitchell. |
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| Mary (Rio): What's your favorite movie? Also, what is in your CD player? Go Illini! |
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Martez Wilson: I don't really have a favorite movie, but as for music, I usually listen to all types of rap and R&B. |
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| Trevor (Arthur): How are your classes going? What is your favorite? |
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Martez Wilson: Classes are going great, and my grades are pretty good so far. My favorite class is SpeechCom, because I get to speak in front of the class. |
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| Z-man (Saint Charles, Ill.): Tez,
Good luck Saturday. Your expectation of going to a bowl this year is within reach. How are the team's spirits after two close losses? Thanks to you and the team for making this an exciting year, and I'm hoping to make a road trip later in the year to watch the Illini in that bowl game! |
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Martez Wilson: The team's spirits are still high, because we know we're just one win away from being bowl eligible. Thanks for noticing our efforts, and we hope to see you at a bowl game in a few weeks. |
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| Moderator: Thanks to all of you for sending in your questions. Martez has to get to meetings and practice now. We'll have another chat right here next Wednesday with one of his teammates. Go, Illini! |
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