The search for another wideout is heating up once again.
Oliver Martin's name has been floating around Ann Arbor, East Lansing, and South Bend for much of the 2017 recruiting cycle. Last week, the four-star was introduced to the Ohio State recruiting scene when Urban Meyer made the journey to Iowa in hopes of convincing one of the nation's top wideouts to make a late trip to Columbus.
The Buckeyes' desire to add anotherreceiver to the 2017 class has become more and more obvious by the day. Yesterday, the staff extended and offer to Duke commit Damond Johnson – a three-star speedster from Pensacola – and they continue to court Baylor commit Elijah Gardiner, though an offer doesn't appear to be on the table just yet.
The most intriguing wideout left on the table, however, is the Iowa City standout.
Martin's recruitment has mostly flown under the radar. The kid has taken on a quiet, private approach and it would appear that his father has helped to lay out many of the plans for the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder.
Michigan State, Michigan, and Notre Dame have all felt confident in their standing for the four-star, and all three have been the crystal ball favorites at one point or another. Michigan State hosted the Martin family two weeks ago while Brian Kelly and Kirk Ferentz both welcomed the country's No. 28 wideout in December. While it doesn't appear likely that the Hawkeyes will be the choice, it's never wise to rule out the home school, especially when the prospect has been on campus at least four times.
The Buckeyes and Wolverines are now fighting for the final official visit, which could take place this weekend. Obviously signing day is next Wednesday, but if a recruit elects not to sign on that day, then official visits can be taken thereafter. Last year we saw Georgia wideout Demetris Robertson taking officials into March before ultimately signing with California on May 1st.
There hasn't been any indication that Martin will take a similar path, but for a recruitment that still looks to be fairly open, that could always be an option.
Michigan source: UM plans to have Jim Harbaugh & recruiting coord. Tony Binker visit Oliver Martin tomorrow "at school & in-home I believe."
— Matthew Bain (@MatthewBain_) January 24, 2017
With Jim Harbaugh making his final in-home pitch on Wednesday, the Buckeyes' staff is expected to do the same today. While both schools are in the mix for a weekend official, both Florida and Auburn are also possibilities.
Ohio State was expecting to have the four-star on campus last weekend, but flight problems prevented the visit from taking place. Instead, the focus was on fellow wideout James Robinson of Lakeland, Florida, but Robinson is no longer looked at as an option.
Zach Smith and the Buckeyes have two big bodies in the fold already in Trevon Grimes and Jaylen Harris, but the loss of Tyjon Lindsey to Nebraska has opened another spot in the wideout room, especially at the slot position.
The Wolverines have a trio of wideouts already committed. Five-star Donovan Peoples-Jones and four-star Tarik Black are both already on campus. Suffield, Connecticut's Brad Hawkins is slated to arrive this summer with the rest of the class.
Elsewhere, Notre Dame has just one receiver commit in three-star Michael Young while Mark Dantonio is already set to welcome in three new wideouts.
Martin's senior film shows a West Senior High team that primarily operates out of two-receiver sets, so obviously its best player is lining up on the outside. He shows good hands and appears to be skilled at tracking the ball while it's in the air. Martin recorded a 4.57 40-yard dash at The Opening in July, and while he may not be a burner, he certainly doesn't have trouble creating separation in his film.
An opposing coach shared his thoughts with Eastern Iowa newspaper The Gazette:
“His routes were beyond what most (high school) kids can do,” Cedar Rapids Kennedy Coach Brian White said. “Plus, he seems like a good kid. Never a showboat and never talked smack to opposing players.” Via
Martin was identified as The Gazette's Player of the Year for 2016. As a senior, he hauled in 85 passes for 1,272 yards and 14 touchdowns while garnering interest from colleges all over the country. The Trojans of Iowa City West would go on to finish as the Class 4A state runner-up.
Anyone questioning the athleticism here is horribly mistaken. While at The Opening, Martin recorded the 13th-highest testing score out of 166 competitors. He has a number of Division I baseball offers and holds numerous state swimming records. Both parents are formers athletes and his younger sister Ruby is going to be an Olympian before too long.
It remains to be seen what the Ohio State offense will look like under Kevin Wilson, but Martin is someone who can likely line up anywhere at wideout. With Trevon Grimes, Jaylen Harris, Binjimen Victor, and Austin Mack likely manning the outside spots for the coming years, he could be a perfect candidate to operate out of the slot.
Make no mistake about it, Urban Meyer and Co. have a lot of ground to make up. If the staff does make the journey to Iowa today, then the focus will certainly be on setting up an official visit. Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines might not even need an official to land Iowa's top player, but the Buckeyes absolutely need the visit to happen if they want to have a chance.
Notre Dame was an offer that the family was really looking forward to, and the Irish remain right in the thick of things. The Spartans haven't been mentioned as much lately, but there has been a little bit of confidence out of East Lansing. A decision to side with the in-state Hawkeyes would be a bit of a stunner at this point, but the pull to stay close to home can always creep back into one's mind.
If the Buckeyes can secure a weekend official, then this one will get even more interesting. If they're unable to do so, Martin could be a player the Ohio State secondary will be dealing with for the next four years.
