Natural Selection

A couple of former OC prep football stars are moving on up to the big time aka the SHOW  aka THE NFL.

Oakland County had two of its born and bred selected in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Novi Detroit Catholic Central's Mike Martin went to the Tennessee Titans in the 3rd round on Friday and, Oak Park's Edwin (Rock) Baker went to the San Diego Chargers in the 7^th round on Saturday.

The 6-foot-3, 305 pound Martin, who helped spearhead the Maize and Blue gridiron resurgence this past season, was captain of the Michigan Wolverines' defense this past fall and a two-time all-conference pick in the Big 10 at nose tackle.

As a prepster, Martin was a behemoth presence on the Catholic Central line, collecting over 200 career tackles and 15 career sacks. A first-team all-state pick as a senior in 2007, he recorded 96 tackles and 6 sacks, leading the Shamrocks into the Division 1 final four.

And he didn't just excel on the gridiron either. He was one of the best in the state in wrestling (winning an individual state title) and track and field (setting numerous records in shot put and discus), during his high school days, too.

Baker (5-9, 210 lb), a chiseled and cat-quick tailback, finished his 3-year career in the Spartans' backfield with over 2,200 career yards and 19 touchdowns. Graduating with prep All-American honors from Oak Park in 2009, he had concluded his high school career with an almost-unthinkable 11 yards per carry average. His 462 yards in a single game as a senior vs. Royal Oak is the fourth best effort in state history.

Burney thinks both Martin and Baker have a very good chance to make a name for themselves in the NFL. Martin will be given an early shot right off the bat with the Titans, while Baker, more of a sleeper, will have to work his way up the ladder in DC, which Burney knows he has the natural ability to do since he's been watching him tote the pigskin since he was a teenager. This kid as second-to-none WHEELS and INSTINCT!! With an unteachable combination of size, speed and strength, Martin could easily be one of the most impactful rookies for the upcoming season.

I can't wait to see them both get to work!!!