NAU Quarterback R.J. Martinez Named Big Sky Freshman Player Of The Year Tuesday

NAU freshman quarterback R.J. Martinez was named Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year Tuesday.  Martinez made his first appearance for NAU in its upset of the Arizona Wildcats.  Martinez was 11-of-16 for 88 yards and a touchdown in the game.  The Texas-native played a total of eight games for the Lumberjacks in 2021, throwing for 1,713 yards and 14 touchdowns, while rushing for nearly 200 yards and five scores on the ground.  Martinez is NAU’s first Freshman of the Year since Case Cookus won the award in 2015.  Other players receiving recognition include: Freshman running back Kevin Daniels, who was named second team All-Big Sky, along with safety Morgan Vest.  Wide receivers Coleman Owen and Hendrix Johnson, along with defensive end Carson Taylor, linebackers Tristen Vance and Harrison Beemiller and punter DJ Arnson were named Big Sky honorable mention.