Free Ben Martin Article from BGI

[scooper]

Martin has heard them all

by DAN SILVER

Rumors are as much a part of the fabric of recruiting as the rankings.

Ben Martin, the 6-foot-five, 230-pound defensive end from Ohio has been given plenty of news about his recruiting lately. Unfortunately, more has been fiction than fact.

“Let’s see,” he began, “I have stopped talking to the coaches at Ohio State because they were recruiting another defensive end.

“I accepted a scholarship offer from Notre Dame and will most likely be reporting there in January as an early enrollee. Plus, Coach Minter has guaranteed that I will be starting right away.

“I have had a coach call me because he heard that I was injured in a summer workout and will be out of action for months,” he concluded – but with the implication that he could have gone on for quite a bit longer with the list.

“There is not a single bit of truth to any of that. I am fine with the coaches at Ohio State. There has been no problem with anybody on the staff at Ohio State. They are still recruiting me. I have an offer from Notre Dame, and I have been recruited by Coach Minter, but there is nothing more to any of that. And I am as healthy as I have ever been.”

So clearly, for whatever reason (likely because he is so highly regarded), Martin has become the center of the endless rumors that are generated by the minute on the Internet. Is that aspect of recruiting getting to the young man?

“Yes, it can be overwhelming at times. I want to make the best decision that I can make with the most information possible, so I won’t rush my decision. I need to do all of my homework,” he said, acknowledging the extra burden but refusing to let it dictate a knee-jerk decision.

“I am still right on track where I want to be at this point. I will make a decision sometime late in my season or, most likely, when my season is over. The only news since the last time I spoke with BGI is that Penn State has started to jump into the picture. They have come after me pretty hard over the last month or so. At this point, I really do not have any leader. I am not even comfortable naming a top five, six, or seven.”

The message, then, is clear. Others can speak for him as much as they want, but only until he is sure in his own mind will Ben Martin let us know where he will play his college football. Until then, don’t believe everything you hear about him.

Honestly, I've not heard any of the rumors he's talking about. And I've tried to keep my ear open on this kid.

 

[jiggafini19]

There is so much internet garbage out there, one can only guess where he has heard or read of these.

 

[iloveirish_12]

I hope ND gets him. But I think he is going to Ohio State.

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

Even though he did not directly say it...I guess its safe to say that it is just a race between OSU and ND for Martin's services.

 

[scooper]

Yeah, that's pretty much been the case from day one, despite the lip service to Michigan and Florida.

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

This kid doesn't have any idea where he is going. This kid could end up anywhere.

 

[IRISHMAN]

i think he'll go irish.

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

I swear I read somewhere he was wearing Irish clothes or something in the days leading up to the Fiesta Bowl. Hopefully he doesnt cool off on us throughout this year.

 

[scooper]

He has been seen wearing Irish clothes. This from class mates of his. I'm not sure at this point it means much. This one's 50/50.

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

He's probably the quietest major prospect in regards to his recruitment. No one has a clue where the guy is headed.

Hopefully we'll get him, he'll be great.

 

[ndalltheway05]

I know Ben pretty well and i talk to his friends a lot also. They say he won't even talk to them about recruiting, which means he's obviously just trying to stay on the down low for right now. He did tell me that he was invited to the Army All American game, so i wouldn't be surprised if he waited til then to announce since it seems he's not going to make a decision any time soon. One of his friends also told me was just asked by USC to take a visit there and i'm almost positive he'll take advantage of that, which is never good to hear. I do see him wearing ND gear quite a bit though, which is good to see.