2022 LB Tyler Martin Talks Upcoming Season, Recruiting

Notre Dame remains a top school for Tyler Martin‍, so it isn’t a huge surprise that South Bend is one of two destinations cemented on the 2022 Massachusetts linebacker’s travel itinerary this fall.

“I’m going to the Notre Dame-Boston College game at Notre Dame,” Martin told Irish Sports Daily. “I will also be at the Michigan-Ohio State game.”

Martin said he’s hoping to see a good game between one of his dream schools and the local school.

“BC is another team that’s recruiting me, so it’ll be good for me to see two schools I’m interested in going head to head, two schools with long histories and backgrounds,” the Buckingham, Browne & Nichols School standout said.

“From Notre Dame, I’m just trying to see smashmouth football. That’s what I like to see. I’m hoping Notre Dame comes out with the win, but I’m also hoping to see a good game and learn a little more about the gameday experience.”

Martin, whose grandfather attended Notre Dame, has been on campus several times, including for Irish Invasion this past summer, but this will be his first game as a recruit.

“My last game at Notre Dame was back when I was 10 or 11 and not a recruit,” he said. “I’d just like be around the gameday atmosphere as a recruit to get more of a feel.”

Aside from Ann Arbor, Martin doesn’t have any other trips locked in yet and it could be difficult with a schedule packed with Saturday games of his own.

“I’m probably going to see if there are any local ones I’ll be able to get to,” said Martin, who has offers from schools like Michigan, Boston College, Syracuse, Virginia, Vanderbilt and Nebraska among others.

“I’m fortunate that Notre Dame game falls after my season ends. I’m going to take it week by week and if a possibility comes up and I can maybe get to a game then my parents and I will try to do it, but right now, those are the only two that are concrete and will definitely happen.”

Martin and his teammates officially started preseason camp on Wednesday and their first game isn’t until Sept. 21st. While he’s excited for the beginning of the regular season, Martin is just as excited to get back out on the field with his team.

“I love camp,” he said. “Even though I’ve started the past two years, it’s a good time for me because every year, I get to prove myself…Camp for me is honestly really fun.

“I love practice. I’m not one of those kids who goes through the motions of practice just to get to Friday or Saturday. I love practices. I feel like double-sessions are a good time. It’s just the beginning of us guys all being together. I’ve gotten really close with the guys on the team just because I’ve been playing since the eighth grade and allowed me to build relationships.”

Martin is especially excited for a scrimmage this Saturday against Choate Rosemary Hall.

“They’re one of the best teams, if not the best team in New England right now,” he said. “I’m looking forward to how we match up against them.”

The 6-foot-2, 235-pounder believes he improved his strength as much as anything this offseason.

“I’ve always been a strong player, but this offseason, I think I really brought my strength up,” he said. “I feel like I can pretty much play with any offensive linemen.

“For me, that’s a big thing because you’re not going to see me go out and run a 4.5 or 4.6 even, but anything in the box, I feel like I can deal with. I’m excited to show that this year.”

He’s also looking forward to showing his versatility as he’ll be playing fullback, slot and tight end on offense and some outside linebacker/defensive end on defense.

“We’re going to put in some packages with me like a Von Miller-type like outside backer and pass rusher,” he said.  “My coach pretty much talked to me about third-down packages against teams that are heavy spread offenses. I’m definitely going to be able to put my hand in the dirt and get after it on pass rush a little bit. I’m looking forward to doing a little bit of both this year.”

While he’d prefer to stay at inside linebacker, some colleges have said they could see him playing defensive line if he grows enough, so Martin understands the experience could be vital down the road.

“Obviously I still have two more years after this one and if I continue to work on that part of my game a little more, the pass rush, not as much the sideline-to-sideline, but getting after the quarterback, I think that could really help me, especially if I can get a couple plays on a highlight film,” he said. “I think it could show versatility, especially for a kid my size to be able to do both would be intriguing.”

But Martin’s main goals are team oriented.

“Our goal every year is to always win the league,” he said. “The league is very, very strong, but we have a really strong team as well. Our goal is obviously to try to hit that 8-0 mark in the regular season. Another thing we need to work on as a team is confidence. We have some young guys who are going to be filling in some important spots, so I think the returning players being able to build up the team’s confidence as a whole will be really big for us.

“We won the New England Championship last year, so I think our goal right now is to win the league and get back to one of the New England bowl games to have a chance to repeat.”