head to Memphis, North Texas.

North Little Rock football players Drew Martin (University of Memphis) and Oscar Adaway (North Texas) signed letters of intent in front of coaches, families and friends Wednesday morning at the school’s two-tiered auditorium.

They can’t wait to get started.

“I’m not redshirting,” said Martin, a 6-4, 235-pound tight end. “I’m ready to play.”

Adaway, a 6-0, 205-pound all-purpose back, said he is excited about playing for a Mean Green team that beat the University of Arkansas 41-17 in Fayetteville in September.

The mention of one play from that Arkansas game — Keegan Brewer’s 90-yard punt return on a fake fair catch — made Adaway smile.

“I thought highly of it,” Adaway said, “with the University of Arkansas not offering me. I was praying for North Texas to win that game.”

Martin said he will begin classes Jan. 11 in Memphis, and he will use the extra semester to hit the books and rehab from surgeries to repair torn meniscus and cartilage in his right knee.

The injuries occurred midway through the Charging Wildcats’ quest for a second consecutive Class 7A state title, which ended with a 27-7 loss to Bryant in the championship game.

Martin said he spoke to Memphis Coach Mike Norvell about his plan to play through the pain.

“Absolutely transparent with them,” Martin said. “They are happy to have me, and they are going to rehab me absolutely the best way possible and get me ready to play.”

Martin will start school at Memphis with nine college credits complete and an ambitious script he vows to follow.

“I’ll be graduated long before my senior season,” said Martin, who received offers from Harvard, Yale, Princeton. “I’m a planner.”

Adaway, who intends to major in kinesiology, did a quick wave and lifted his head skyward — mimicking Brewer’s no fair-catch maneuver that stunned Arkansas — when asked whether he planned to return punts in the spring, along with establishing himself as either a running back or wide receiver.

“They probably won’t run that again for the next 400 years,” said Adaway, who committed to the Mean Green in August. “After I saw that play, I honestly believed that North Texas is coming up. That kind of put us on the spot.”

Adaway (1,520 yards from scrimmage, 16 touchdowns) was the more recognizable offensive force for North Little Rock, while Martin often answered fans who encouraged him by shouting his uniform number (15) rather than his name.

“I’m not Oscar Adaway,” said Martin, who caught 16 passes for 338 yards and 7 touchdowns. “I do the dirty work. If you want to look and see somebody whupping tail, you should look at 15 the whole time. That’s how I get noticed.”

North Little Rock Coach Jamie Mitchell said Martin and Adaway will be missed.

“These two guys,” said Mitchell, pointing to the young men on the auditorium stage, “were the heart and soul of our football team.”