ESPN's Schefter: Rutgers' Martinek NFL Prospect

Rutgers fullback Joe Martinek surprised many with his 4.4-second 40-yard-dash at the Scarlet Knights' pro day last week.

And while it was assumed the more than 20 NFL scouts in attendance took notice, an ESPN reporter confirmed Thursday the Hopatcong star left a lasting impression.

Adam Schefter said via Twitter the redshirt senior's speed turned more than a few NFL heads.

"Looks like Rutgers is producing another NFL RB/FB prospect: Joe Martinek, who ran in 4.4s at pro day. Other measurables (sp) caught NFL's attn.," Schefter tweeted.

The reserved Martinek said he was thankful for the shout out.

"It was pretty cool seeing that," he said, "and seeing people notice."

Martinek said first his friends told him about the tweet. Then his father, Joe Martinek Sr., called him.

"So I had to check it out," the younger Martinek said.

But Martinek said he wasn't surprised at his feat. He said his trainer, Ron Hackaspker, had been working with him for five to six days a week "to limit the percentage of error on my events so we would know what numbers I would put up and have a plan going into pro day."

Rutgers has developed a couple of professional running backs in recent years. In 2007, the St. Louis Rams drafted fullback Brian Leonard in the second round. The Baltimore Ravens also used a second-round selection on Scarlet Knights running back Ray Rice in 2008.

Martinek suited up as a running back for three years at Rutgers before switching to fullback this season. And if Leonard's 4.49-second 40-yard-dash was an indication, the 2007 graduate could catch on with an NFL squad.

Martinek's 40 time would have been in a three-way tie for eighth-best at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, alongside South Carolina cornerback Stephen Gilmore and Miami's Lamar Miller, a running back, and wide receiver Tommy Streeter.

The 40-yard-dash wasn't Martinek's only highlight at the Rutgers' showcase.

The all-time New Jersey high school rushing leader (7,586 yards; 80 touchdowns) also bench pressed 225 pounds 26 times; recorded a 32 1/4-inch vertical jump; ran the 20-yard shuttle in 4.9 seconds; zipped through the 60-yard shuttle in 11.34 seconds; finished the three-cone drill in 6.68 seconds; and nailed a 9-foot-8 broad jump.

Martinek, who led Hopatcong to a 2006 state title, rushed for 1,770 yards on 391 carries and scored 17 touchdowns for the Scarlet Knights.