The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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66 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2016 PREP PROFILES Iowa City (Iowa) West three- star wide receiver Oliver Martin doesn't say much when it comes to his recruitment. However, the 6-1, 190-pounder took a trip to Michi- gan for the BBQ at The Big House Aug. 6, showing that he has interest in the Wolverines. Martin picked up his offer from U-M July 10 after impressing every- one, including Michigan quarterback commit Dylan McCaffrey, at Nike's The Opening in Beaverton, Ore. Mc- Caffrey and Martin were teammates on Team Hypercool, and throughout the course of the prime-time event, Martin was virtually unguardable. McCaffrey relayed that informa- tion back to Schembechler Hall, and Martin was ultimately offered. Martin now claims offers from BYU, Iowa, Michigan State, Oregon and Wisconsin to go along with Michigan, and a few others, follow- ing his impressive offseason. "I want to get all the options I can and find the best fit for me," he told DuckSportsAuthority.com. "I don't want to jump and commit too soon and maybe that doesn't end up be- ing the right place for me. I guess I just want to get to know the schools as best I can before I make a decision so I can make the best decision. "I am open to going further away from home if the school is a better fit for me." Ann Arbor is six and a half hours from Iowa City so that shouldn't be an issue. His bond with McCaf- frey and fellow Michigan target and wide receiver Nico Collins, the na- tion's No. 4 pass catcher and No. 21 prospect overall, was on display during the BBQ. Martin is also a top-flight base- ball prospect. Last year he led his team to a second straight state championship appearance, and pro scouts began to pay attention. He has said that he'd consider playing both baseball and football in college, which could play into his decision as well. Martin has said a scholarship offer from Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz would be hard to turn down, but after spending a weekend in Ann Arbor he appears to be giving the Wolverines a hard look. As a junior, Martin pulled down 72 passes for 1,208 yards and 17 touchdowns en route to first-team class 4-A all-state honors from The Des Moines Register. He is ranked as the top player in Iowa, and the No. 10 wide receiver and No. 67 ov erall prospect n ation ally b y 247Sports. — Brandon Brown Five-star prospects from Alabama with an offer from Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide don't leave very often. Even less often do they head north to play for a Big Ten school. However, that's exactly what may happen with Pinson (Ala.) Clay wide receiver Nico Collins. The No. 4 wide receiver and No. 21 overall player in the country has visited Michigan three times on his own dime, most re- cently for the BBQ at The Big House Aug. 6. The 6-5, 193-pounder snagged 60 balls for 1,103 yards and 16 touch- downs as a junior. That kind of pro- duction has landed him offers from virtually every school in the country. "I'm lookin g for academics, coaches, a good bond with the play- ers and what kind of city and univer- sity there is," he said. "The vibe that I get from Michigan is just good." The U-M coaching staff and future quarterback Dylan McCaffrey have made Collins a priority, and it seems to be working. "I stand at the top with Michi- gan," he said. "They have a top- ranked quarterback in Dylan, and with Coach Harbaugh and the type of coach he is there's a vibe up there. It's pretty awesome." Although U-M seems to be in great shape, the battle isn't over for Collins. He still claims a top five with plans to see each school in an official capacity. "Michigan, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia and Alabama are my top five," he said. "Everything seems so right and special about that group. I'm going to take all of my officials, then decide in February." While in Beaverton, Ore., for Nike's The Opening, Collins was paired up with McCaffrey on Team Hypercool and was able to bond with his potential future quarter- back for nearly a week. When asked what else he needed to see or learn about Michigan, Collins' answer was telling. "Really nothing," he said with a smile. "I've seen everything. The first time I was there it was all laid out. They showed me everything and I learned how they do stuff. "The second time I was just hang- ing out getting to know them a little more and just hanging with the play- ers a little bit." Plucking a blue-chip prospect di- rectly out of Alabama would send a message to all SEC schools, and through mid-August it certainly looks like there is a chance that could happen with Collins. — Brandon Brown Iowa Wide Receiver Visits For The BBQ At The Big House Five-Star Alabama Wide Receiver May Spurn The Tide For Michigan ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ West Iowa City, Iowa Class: 2017 Position: Wide Receiver Ht.: 6‑1 • Wt.: 190 Rivals.com Rankings: Currently unrated Oliver Martin ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Clay Pinson, Ala. Class: 2017 Position: Wide Receiver Ht.: 6‑5 • Wt.: 193 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 4 wide re‑ ceiver and No. 21 overall prospect in the nation Nico Collins Collins "The vibe that I get from Michigan is just good." Martin "I am open to going fur- ther away from home if the school is a better fit for me."