Photo Credit: The Opening/StudentSports

Crystal Ballin: Martin to Michigan

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

Going out on a limb is not something that fish normally do because of the whole water thing but that’s what I will be doing here. After just receiving his offer on Sunday and prior to even visiting Ann Arbor, I’ve put in my Crystal Ball prediction for West (IA) WR Oliver Martin to Michigan.

Martin burst onto the recruiting scene this past weekend at The Opening after he posted the 12th best SPARQ ratings score (133.02) and put on a show as the go-to receiver for Team HyperCool during the 7on7 tournament. His athleticism was apparent but it was his route running precision, reliable hands and ability to make the big play when necessary that had his teammates loving him.

According to his interview with The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb, his Michigan teammates on Team HyperCool were recruiting him and were even calling the UM coaches to tell them to offer him ($). Those recommendations clearly paid off as the staff offered Martin before he even left Oregon.

So, he holds an offer and is wanted by the Michigan commitments. That’s clearly not enough for him to receive a Crystal Ball prediction though that didn’t stop Bleacher Report’s Tyler Donohue and 247Sports’ Ryan Bartow from adding in their CBs to UM on Tuesday.

After the two national analysts put in their predictions, I did some more digging on Martin. That’s when I found this video:

While the highlights are impressive from the 6’1” slot receiver, it’s what he says he wants college coaches to know about him that caught my attention the most. He’s a three sport athlete which includes being an FBS football recruit, a five time All-American swimmer and the #4 college baseball prospect in Iowa (holds 2 B1G offers). That sounds like the ideal Jim Harbaugh recruit if I’ve ever seen one.

Martin has yet to set up a visit to Ann Arbor but thanks to it not being too far from home, I wouldn’t be shocked to see it happen sooner rather than later. And, if that happens (let’s say for the BBQ on August 6th), things could heat up quickly between the two parties thanks to his fit in the offense and the fact that the University of Michigan is home to an elite level college football program as well as an elite level college swimming program.

Now, it’s a stretch to say Martin would choose a school because of their swimming program. I won’t deny that. However, it’s definitely something that could help for a high school All-American swimmer who happens to play football and has a father who swam and a sister who nearly qualified for the Rio Olympics ($). And if so, assuming he’s definitely a take, there may not be a better fit than the not-too-far from home Wolverines.

Photo Credit: The Opening/StudentSports

Garrett Fishaw
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