Now that the Chris Martin saga has apparently come to a close, Notre Dame fans are hoping the talented linebacker/defensive end can have a productive senior season before making his way to South Bend.
Martin enrolled at Grandview (Colo.) earlier this summer and was recently declared eligible to play for the Wolves.
This follows a tumultuous spring for Martin after he verbally committed to Notre Dame on National Signing Day in February. He publicly stated he was likely going to leave Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) and attend New Jersey’s Hun School for his senior season.
Chris Martin has found a home at Grandview (Colo.).
Dennis Lee
The speculation was that the two-sport star would play his senior season at Hun and be academically prepared to enroll at Notre Dame in January. Current Irish defensive lineman Tyler Stockton graduated from Hun early to attend Notre Dame in time for spring semester, and some thought Martin would follow that path.
However, it appears that will not be the case. Hun’s rigorous academic standards may have made it impossible for Martin to achieve enough credits to graduate early. There were also rumblings that officials at Hun may have been concerned that allowing Martin to spend his senior season at the school and graduate with a diploma after a semester or two would have damaged the school’s reputation as a premier academic institution.
Now, it seems like Martin will remain committed to Notre Dame and enroll next fall after a year in Colorado.
Martin should settle nicely into Grandview, where he immediately becomes one of the state’s top talents.
Grandview is one of Colorado’s top programs, and will receive a major boost from Martin’s arrival.
“Especially since they lost a lot of key guys on defense, I think he’ll contribute to putting them back where they expect to be,” MaxPreps' Colorado correspondent Gerry Valerio said.
An almost equally dominant defensive player to watch in Colorado is Mullen star Nduka Onyeali, who recorded 19 sacks as a junior. Teammate Adonis Ameen-Moore is the state’s top running back, and will be one of the country’s high-rated recruits at the position next year. He’s a bruising back in the LenDale White mold, but has good speed.
Prospects galore in Florida showdown
College coaches will be keeping a close watch on the enormous season opener in Florida between Miami Central and Daytona Beach’s Mainland.
Jeffrey Godfrey is one of Florida's top returning passers.
Andre Bastidas
Some of the Sunshine State’s best players will be on display, led by Miami Central’s offensive unit, which has quite a talented trio.
Quarterback Jeffrey Godfrey is back for his senior season, and is expected to put up huge numbers. It’s likely that Godfrey leaves Dade County for college, though the Hurricanes will certainly keep an eye on his performance.
Running back Brandon Gainer is an excellent complement to Godfrey; he’s an explosive rusher defenses need to account for on each play. Receiver Joshua Reese is the third member of the senior triumvirate. He’ll be on the receiving end of many Godfrey passes, as will outstanding junior Charles Gaines. The duo combined for more than 1,500 receiving yards last year.
Central received a major boost when giant offensive lineman Jose Jose transferred in the offseason from Booker T. Washington. The 6-foot-3, 333-pound Jose has already committed to Tennessee, and will help create holes for Gainer.
However, the Buccaneers of Mainland are equally talented, with an impressive blend of seniors and underclassmen.
Class of 2010 receiver O.J. Ross returns after catching 31 passes for 641 yards and nine touchdowns. Fellow seniors Ricardo Allen, a defensive back, and Anthony Hamm, a linebacker, will lead the secondary and linebacking units, respectively. All three are attracting heavy interest from colleges.
It’s the class of 2011, however, that has drawn the most attention for the Bucs. Marlin Lane is making a serious push to be the state’s top running back among juniors, while classmate Cortez Davis, a 6-5 basketball star with great athleticism, is garnering considerable attention as a defensive back and receiver.
Lane is already committed to Clemson, and may try to coax Davis into joining him.
A pair of transfers will provide further ammunition for an already stocked Mainland team. Running back Telvin Hooks joins the Bucs after two varsity seasons at New Smyrna Beach. 6-6, 240-pound lineman Anthony Russell may earn a spot on the offensive line. Both are only juniors.
Also worth watching is freshman safety/receiver Quinton Powell, the only ninth grader to crack the team’s roster.
Whoever prevails between Central and Mainland will easily be one of the favorites for a 6A state crown.
Five sleeper recruits to watch this weekend
Samuel Harvill, DL, Shiloh Christian (Ark.): Harvill has seen a lot of attention because of his unfathomable strength, but his recruiting hasn’t gained the same momentum. With a strong showing against Evangel Christian (with 2011 top defensive lineman Jermauria Rasco), Harvill can make a real statement.
Phillip Ely, QB, Plant (Fla.): The Panthers should be tops in the Tampa area again this season, in large part thanks to Phillip Ely. The junior took over behind center for Aaron Murray and did very well in the seven games he saw action. Now as a junior, the responsibility is his full-time, and he should continue to emerge from Murray’s shadow, much like Murray rose to prominence after Robert Marve moved on to college. {VIDEO_a13a7f9e-5453-4aa6-8ebb-eb5aa9a90b06,floatRightWithBar}
Braxton Miller, QB, Wayne (Ohio): It’s hard to call one of 2011’s top prospects a sleeper, but Miller’s sophomore season was cut short by a right leg injury, so he’s playing with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. After a sloppy victory against Princeton, Miller has a real test this weekend against a rejuvenated Canton McKinley squad. McKinley features defensive end Steve Miller, who may rival Braxton as the state’s top recruit in 2011. If Buckeye fans have their wishes, both will end up at Ohio State.
Laken Tomlinson, OL, Lane Tech (Ill.): One of the Chicago Public Schools’fastest rising stars, Laken Tomlinson burst onto the scene over the summer, and with a strong senior campaign, could emerge as one of Illinois’ top prospects. However, in Lane Tech’s season opener, he came out sluggish and struggled to find consistency. If he can lead the offensive line play against Glenbrook North, the Indians may notch their first win of the season
Matt Brown, QB, Allen (Texas): Beginning his second season as a starter for the Eagles, Matt Brown has an impressive resume as a signal caller playing against impressive competition. Still, most Big XII schools backed off Brown, and he verbally committed to play for Arizona. Coming off an upset loss to Longview, Allen and the Eagles will look to rebound in a major away against Mexico’s Prepa Tech.
