Notre Dame Offer One 2020 ATH Cameron Martinez Wanted

It’s been a long time coming – and for a time it looked like it might not come – but after Todd Lyght watched Cameron Martinez‍ work out on Thursday afternoon, the Notre Dame defensive backs coach left a scholarship offer for the 2020 Michigan athlete.

“I wouldn’t say surprised because I feel like I worked out good, but there was a while where I didn’t hear from them and then I kind of heard from them out of the blue, but we still hadn’t been in strong communication,” Martinez acknowledged.

“It felt great. It almost felt like one of those offers that you’ve been waiting for since you were a kid. I liked Notre Dame growing up, but I wasn’t as into them as much as my family. But when I got that offer, it felt like I’d been rooting for them my whole life.”

The Muskegon High School star already had offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Northwestern, Florida State, Minnesota, Penn State, Iowa and Nebraska among several others.

Although there were times when Martinez could get frustrated seeing the Irish offer other players in his class when he felt he put the work in and had the film to back it up, he doesn’t have hard feelings.

“Not at all,” he said. “I believe it’s in God’s hands. I never really stressed about it. I knew if it was meant to be, it would happen and all I could control is the hard work.”

The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder camped at South Bend last summer and was at the Florida State game in November.

“Now that I have the offer, we’ll probably get down there really soon actually,” said Martinez. “My mom hasn’t seen it, that’s big for her to see it. My dad’s side of the family are Notre Dame fans. I believe some of them are season-ticket holders, so that side doesn’t need too much information.

“I really want to get my brother back because he plays college football and I want him to see what they’re talking about.”

Martinez said Northwestern and Ohio State are locks for officials, but with offers continuing to come in, he has to figure out the other three.

“That’s one thing I have to do is sit down and decide,” he said.

Martinez could play receiver or defensive back at the next level. Lyght made it clear the Irish are looking at him to play mostly corner and some safety.

“I’m not sure if that would be some Nickel,” Martinez added. “That could mean different spots on the field, but right now, more corner.”

That’s fine with him.

“I was just talking to my brother about playing defense. That would be kind of fun because we were talking about on offense having to rely on someone to get you the ball. On defense, you can go and make your own plays.”