Ex-Michigan lineman Mike Martin draws attention for Senior Bowl practices, scuffle with Ohio State player
Mike Martin is expected to be the Michigan football team's strongest NFL draft pick in April.
His stock appears to be rising.
Mike Martin, shown at the Sugar Bowl, has impressed people in workouts leading up to the Senior Bowl.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
- Mike Brewster of Ohio State and DT Mike Martin of Michigan are again battling hard in practice. Brewster laughed about it yesterday and noted it's just a continuation of what's taken place the past four years.
- DT Mike Martin of Michigan has been a disruptive force all morning. He just threw Penn State lineman Johnnie Troutman to the ground and blew up a running play.
- DL Mike Martin of Michigan continues to impress. He's shown the ability to finish plays today and has been a disruptive force all day.
- Morning practice is over. Without a doubt the two most impressive players this morning came from the defensive line. Mike Martin of Michigan and Kendall Reyes of UConn were both impossible to stop and set up shop behind the line of scrimmage.
"He's one of my best competitors," Brewster told Yahoo! after practice Tuesday. "I love going against him."
Martin is working out with five former teammates at Barwis Methods, the gym owned by former Michigan strength and conditioning coach Mike Barwis. He began training for the Senior Bowl on Jan. 4 — the day after the Sugar Bowl.
That work appears to be paying off, as The New York Times wrote this from the Senior Bowl weigh-in: "DT Mike Martin (Michigan) looked like a champion bodybuilder, carrying a cut 307 pounds at 6-1."
Martin, a three-time winner of Michigan's defensive linemen of the year award, is coming off the best statistical season of his career. He posted 64 tackles and 3.5 sacks, both personal bests, despite facing constant double-teams.
He finished his career with 172 tackles and 10 sacks, and is considered an early-round pick.
"To me, if you look at the guys this year, Mike Martin, quick out of the blocks,” ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. said during a recent teleconference before the start of Senior Bowl practices. “You’ve got to like the fact he’s a former high school wrestler, and all the great things he did at Michigan.
"Size is an issue, but I think he could be a rotation type in that second-, third-round mix."
Martin has been invited to the NFL Combine, where he is expected to excel at the bench press. He could threaten the record in that event.
Center David Molk also has been invited to the combine. He was invited to the Senior Bowl, but will not participate after having foot surgery to repair a torn tendon.
Michigan's pro day is March 15.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
Jarhead
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 6:26 a.m.
We are a numbers oriented society aren't we? Espescially us men. '69 442, 4 barrel, 400 horse, 375 lbs torque, 4 speed, 9:11 gears, 12 sec 1/4 mile, etc. And so it goes with football players; 3 star, 4 star, 5 star, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 285, 300, 315, 4.6, 4.5, 4.4 speed. I know we need these numbers for comparison's sake, but non of that speaks to heart and strength. There seems to be this idea that if a player is 300 lbs he dosen't stand a chance against a player who is 315. Might as well pack up and go home. I am 100lbs and nothing, 5 foot and nothing, and no matter how much I work out or how many steroids I could take, I will never be as big as Mike Martin. (Nor will I ever be as big as my son for that matter.) Mike has the genetics for a frame, the frame to pack on muscle, the strength, the energy, the will, and the heart to play pro ball. He will be okay.
RJ12688
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 5:19 a.m.
Doesn't Suh play at just over 300lbs? I think Martin will be a fine NFL player. He isnt the biggest, but i think he would fit in well in a 4-3 system where the lineman tend to be smaller than your typical 3-4 system.
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 5:09 a.m.
Molk - foot surgery to repair a tendon... Ouch! Hope you recover quickly and completely, David. Thanks for all you did for the Team and fans. Best of luck to Mike Martin - it's too bad defense wasn't emphasized before Hoke arrived and put Mattison in charge. Martin and other defensive players would be getting more attention now. (And Michigan would have a better 3-year record instead of the worst ever.)
Jed I Knight
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 3:40 a.m.
Really? 6'1" and 307 cut lbs? Threatens the bench record. This guy is sick and if this is natural a freak of nature. Madarich had a lot of help to get to 300+ and he had more height to carry it all.
Jim Temple
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 9:24 p.m.
Mike is a Man you want on your team,he will over achieve were he is drafted at. team player,and a will to win,go Mike..................
81wolverine
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:16 p.m.
If Martin is not successful in the NFL, it won't be because of lack of strength, effort, or heart. But, I think he will do well there if he gets on the right team with the right defensive schemes to use his talent. Kiper might be right about the size issue since most of the typical NFL def. linemen you see are huge, wide guys. But, players like Martin will be tough to keep off the field because of his high motor.
catfishrisin
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 1:48 p.m.
@Blu Nowhere in the article does it say Martin kicked Brewster's butt. This "Michigan Man" baloney is all blow and no go.
A2D2
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 1:44 a.m.
Follow the link, do your homework, and face it: Brewster got beat, lost his composure and started something......bad, bad idea against Martin.
uferwasawsome
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 12:13 a.m.
Why do "Ohio" guys struggle so much with the "Michigan Man" mantra? Oh yeah...they wish it for themselves. Forever jealous that they will never be "Michigan". Destined to always be second to "Michigan" is why they hate so much. Sad.
goldenblue
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 9:14 p.m.
catfishrisin it appears you wiffed again based on your avatar.Ghost well said!
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 5:08 p.m.
One would have to be able to add 1 plus 1 top get 2 in order to come to blu's conclusion. Let's review: 1) "Without a doubt the two most impressive players this morning came from the defensive line. Mike Martin of Michigan and Kendall Reyes of UConn were both impossible to stop and set up shop behind the line of scrimmage." 2) "Mike Brewster of Ohio State and DT Mike Martin of Michigan are again battling hard in practice." The only possible conclusion from these two statements is that Martin owns Brewster. 1 +1 = 2 But, then, Buckeyes have always had problems with higher level math. GN&GL
Rabid Wolverine
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 2:31 p.m.
If you clicked on the link of "a shoving match" it details that Brewster got beat on an inside play and then started a shoving match.....
towny
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 1:58 p.m.
really
Ignatz
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 1:45 p.m.
His wrestling accumen serves him well. The guy was a wonder player here and I hope he does well in the NFL.
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 11:27 a.m.
It's understandable that the player from "south of the border" doesn't like getting his butt kick twice a day, every day, in front of prospective NFL bosses. I would tell the ohio player that if he lives out the week some NFL team will take him to use as practice fodder next summer. Just look at the experience he's getting from being manhandled by Michigan Man Mike Martin. He was Michigan! He is Michigan! This is Michigan! Go Blue!