Martez Thrower plans to keep tackling and maybe even breaking face masks at Kentucky

Martez Thrower (44) has fit in well with UK's linebackers and believes he's talented enough to be on the field this season. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Kentucky linebacker coach Jon Sumrall noted several times that freshman linebacker Martez Thrower broke face masks several times during games last season.

“I broke two or three. I think it was three. Two in one game,” said the Kentucky freshman linebacker. “It mostly on kickoffs and filling the backside gaps and just hitting them hard. I liked that and most definitely want to do it this year.”

Kentucky opens the season Saturday against Louisiana Monroe and thinks it is “realistic” he could play in the opener.

“I feel I am talented enough to get on the field,” the 6-2, 215-pound Thrower, No. 2 on the depth chart at weakside linebacker, said.

He believes his “all-around tackling” is his best asset along with just making plays all over the field.

“My head is always on a swivel. I am always around the ball. I am a ball hawk,” Thrower, who has been timed in 11.1 seconds in the 100-yard dash, said.

He was a three-star recruit who picked UK over Wisconsin and Tennessee. His connection with UK linebacker coach Jon Sumrall got him to Kentucky.

“The energy he brings every day is unreal. He is an honest guy. He is always on you to make you learn something new every day and that’s good,” Thrower said.

The UK freshman is from Rochelle, Ga. — a place he says where UK football is not talked about.

“I didn’t know too much at all about Kentucky. It’s always other schools getting talked about but coach Sumrall came along and picked me up and I am grateful,” Thrower said.

He said his family and friends were “glad” he was going to play in the SEC.

Thrower likes to hunt and fish — so does Sumrall.

“We definitely got to go fishing one day. I love that. We have talked about that and he has told me he is going to take me fishing,” Thrower said. “We have been busy so far but when we get off we have got to go to the water.”