Antelope’s Ozzy Martin stands out at OD Bowl

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Antelope Senior Ozzy Martin recently competed in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl for the second straight year, this time taking the field at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles just one day after the Chargers and Texans played there.

“It was a great experience,” Martin said. “It was my second time doing it, playing in that All-American Bowl. You learn a lot from different coaches, and you learn something new from every one of them.”

The All-American Bowl brings together high school athletes from across the country, giving players the chance to work with new coaching staffs and compete alongside teammates they’ve never played with before an adjustment Martin says mirrors what’s ahead at the college level.

“You go with a different team, and it kind of shows you what it’s going to be like when you go to college,” he said. “You’ve got to build relationships on the field, communicate, and just feel the game.”

For Martin, the opportunity is especially meaningful coming from a small town like Wellton. Exposure has been one of his biggest goals and this year’s event delivered more results than his first appearance.

“Last year, I didn’t really get any offers or anything,” Martin said. “This time, I had a few coaches talk to me after the game. One even followed my Instagram and told me to keep in touch.”

That progress, Martin says, didn’t happen overnight.

He credits a strong offseason including work with former Rams coach Hector Ramirez for helping elevate his game. Over the past year, Martin added about 15 pounds and shaved time off his 40-yard dash, dropping from a 4.9 to a 4.8.

“It doesn’t sound like a big difference,” Martin said, “but in football, especially in the 40, it kind of is.”

The setting itself added to the moment.

Martin’s first All-American Bowl appearance came at AT&T Stadium in Dallas home of the Dallas Cowboys an experience he says was almost overwhelming.

“You kind of forget you’re in the game because you’re just looking around,” he said. “Then you’ve got to lock back in and remind yourself this is where you want to be at the next level.”

This year at SoFi Stadium, the feeling was just as powerful reinforcing his long-term goals.

“That’s definitely where I want to be,” Martin said. “The competition is higher, the guys are really good, and it shows you what it takes.”

As Martin continues navigating the recruiting process, the All-American Bowl experience has given him confidence, perspective, and momentum heading into his senior season.

For a player from Antelope High School, the journey is still unfolding but Ozzy Martin is proving he belongs on some of football’s biggest stages.