Defensive tackle Martin Wilson is part of a defensive line that has racked up 17 sacks in seven games this season.

He is the team leader in two weightlifting events, having put up a 415-pound bench press and 325-pound power clean.

The 6-foot-1, 264-pound Wilson, who has two sacks on the year, sat down with the Northern Star after practice Tuesday to talk about losing his starting job, teammates having kids and motorcycles.

Northern Star: You started 12 games last year, but Adam Schroeder and Quince Holman have taken the starting interior spots this season. Is that more indicative of their performance or of your performance?

Martin Wilson: It’s a little bit of both, actually. Schroeder and Quince are playing quite well. I’m not where I should be, but I’m getting there. Slowly but surely, I’m coming around.

NS: Watching the game Saturday against Central Michigan, it seemed like you played well and started to get back to where you want to be. Would you agree with that?

MW: Yeah, and that’s something the coaches are agreeing with. They’re saying, ‘OK, we see Marty Wilson is starting to play like he should be playing.’ I’ve been busting my butt these last few weeks trying to get where I need to be and it’s paying off. It’s really paying off.

NS: You made the team as a walk-on. Did you feel you had more to prove than the scholarship players?

MW: Oh yeah, because you gotta work twice as hard. You know what I mean? If you’re coming in and nobody really knows who you are, you have to make a bigger impact than the guys who were scouted and offered a scholarship and everything.

NS: Being the bench-press king of the team is that something that’s come naturally to you, or something that you’ve really had to work on?

MW: That’s natural. I’ve been like that since high school. That’s something I take great pride in. I set an example for the other guys in the weight room to work hard.

NS: What are you plans for after football and after NIU?

MW: Right now I just want to focus on the present. But after football, just what any other college student wants. Start a career in my major, which is sociology, and settle down with my girl. The usual.

NS: What are you not going to miss about football?

MW: I don’t know. There’s a lot of things, it’s hard to say. All right, I got one for you: I think the one thing I won’t miss is waking up hurting every morning – the wear and tear on your body.

NS: What’s with all these teammates [Jason Hawkins and Travis Moore] having kids and right in the middle of the season, too?

MW: Those guys, they’ve had girls for a long time. Travis, as you know, is a married man. That’s cool, they’re ready to start their lives after football. They’re just getting an early jump on it, I guess.

NS: What kind of interests do you have off the field?

MW: I ride motorcycles.

NS: Do you have a Harley?

MW: No, crotch rocket – Suzuki JS6R. So that’s what I do with my spare time: Football, homework and ride motorcycles.