2022 LB Tyler Martin Excited To Get Back To Notre Dame For Camp
Growing up, Tyler Martin dreamt of playing football at Notre Dame.
The 2022 Massachusetts linebacker will get a chance to do just that – in a sense – when he competes at Irish Invasion in South Bend next month.
The 6-foot-2, 227-pound freshman had been looking into getting out to Notre Dame by the time Irish assistant Jeff Quinn showed up at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School in Cambridge a few weeks ago. Martin was part of a small group of Knights to work out in front of Quinn.
“Coach Quinn talked with (BB&N) coach (Mike) Willey and my coach and my parents figured out that I’ll be done by school by June 9th and I have some free time,” Martin said. “I love Notre Dame, so it’ll be a good time to get up there and compete.”
Martin’s affection for the school is rooted through his family.
“My grandfather is a Notre Dame alum,” he explained. “He was there in the 60s. He was there when Notre Dame had a perfect season, winning the national championship.
“I’ve been up there for a couple games with my family. I’ve sort of been connected to them ever since I was born. It’s just a really special place. Every time I’ve been up there for a game, I haven’t been in a couple years, but when I was younger, I was in awe of the place.
“I grew up loving Notre Dame and I always said, ‘I’m going to end up playing for them one day.’ Now, being able to start the recruiting process with them is pretty cool.”
Martin has early offers from Michigan, Nebraska, Virginia, Boston College and Syracuse among others.
“It’s very cool,” he said. “At the beginning, it was definitely a little tough to manage.
“It really is an honor to have scholarship offers at this young of any age and know coaches believe in me.”
He’s hoping to impress the Irish at their showcase camp with his potential, size and athleticism.
“That’s something I pride myself on,” he said. “Obviously, I work out a ton. I think my strength has always been there for me as a player. I put on some weight and I got up to a pretty good size right now. Being able to go out there and show my ability to play fast and come downhill like all linebackers should and things like that.
“But also, sort of show the type of kid I am. I’ve always tried to be a great leader when it comes to football and off the field. I feel like that’s a characteristic Notre Dame tends to look for.”
Martin may not have been out to South Bend for a bit, but he’s kept close tabs on the Irish.
“A guy I’ve watched since he got there was Drue Tranquil,” he said. “He was team captain, played linebacker just like I do. We’re sort of around a similar size. He hasn’t always been the fastest and most athletic kid, but he’s probably one of the toughest players I’ve seen play at Notre Dame. Just the way he carries himself on and off the field, it shows.
“Everything I’ve heard about him and seen from different things about Notre Dame Football, he is definitely a Notre Dame kind of kid.”
Martin knows about the history and the education at Notre Dame, so he’ll be looking to get a better feel for the program while he’s in town.
“For me, just having the family connection,” he said. “I feel like the academic piece, obviously it’s an unbelievable school academically.
“I really want to get to know the football program a little more. I’ve just been a fan, so I’d just see the on-field stuff. I’d like to get more background on how things work within the football program. Just probably more of the athletic side of Notre Dame because like I said, I feel like I know the academics and prestige is there, just going into more depth about the football program.”
Martin will continue hitting the road after his trip to South Bend.
“I’m taking a four-day trip down to the South to see Vanderbilt, Duke and Virginia. Later on, toward the end of June, I’m going to Penn State.”