2022 CB Nikai Martinez Felt At Home On Notre Dame Visit

2022 Apopka (Fla.) cornerback Nikai Martinez‍ made the trip to South Bend over the weekend and it went well despite the cold weather. 

"It was great," Martinez stated. "I like the atmosphere and the coaches. It was a cool visit.

"I thought it was a great environment. It really felt like home. The student section was lit the whole time." 

The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder might be a sophomore, but he had the attention of three Notre Dame coaches during the visit.

"I talked to Coach (Terry) Joseph and Coach (Todd) Lyght. I actually talked to Coach (Lance) Taylor too. 

"They were breaking down how the game would be and how it would be at Notre Dame. They were giving me advice and stuff after football." 

It was a refreshing conversation for Martinez as the Notre Dame staff spoke about more than football.

"Usually coaches just talk about football and academics," said Martinez.  

Martinez was also impressed with the Irish on the field and liked the fact Notre Dame put its cornerbacks on islands. 

"The defense is good," Martinez said. "They pulled through and the secondary had them on lock the whole game. I liked how they played."

Auburn, Charlotte, Florida, Georgia and Southern Miss have already offered Martinez and he'll be in Athens in a few days.

"Florida is recruiting me the hardest," explained Martinez. “I've been to a couple of Florida games and I'm going to Georgia this weekend." 

The Florida native also is interested to see what happens at Florida State as he felt a change was needed in Tallahassee. 

"I think it was a good decision," said Martinez of Willie Taggart's firing. "Florida State had fallen off and they lost the swagger. I'd like to see that swag come back."