Class of 2019 3-star tight end Michael Martinez recently received a scholarship from Michigan. The No. 27 ranked tight end in the country also has offers from Oregon, Oregon State, Alabama, Cal and USC.
The Santa Ana, California native sat down with Maize n Brew to talk about Michigan and how he plays the position.
Martinez talked about head coach Jim Harbaugh and seemed excited about the potential to play for Michigan saying “coach Harbaugh’s reputation speaks for itself and there’s nothing better than an offense that favors the tight end.”
Blessed to have received an offer from The University of Michigan 〽️#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/mcJHY8Kff8
— Michael Martinez (@Mike10Martinez) May 29, 2018
At 6-6 and almost 250 pounds, Martinez is exactly the kind of tight end Harbaugh loves to bring in. His size creates quite a mismatch in the secondary as he towers over most corners, and he is also big and strong enough to keep up with opposing defensive linemen and linebackers while run-blocking.
Martinez told Maize n Brew, “I think my blocking game is what makes me a good tight end, anybody can run around and catch the ball, but it takes a lot to go mess around in the trenches, and I enjoy it.”
The junior from Mater Dei High School averaged 14.8 yards per game in seven games last season, but showed the ability to play multiple positions on the offensive side of the ball. Martinez said, “I like to think that I’m a very versatile tight end, and I like to spread out into the slot.”
He knows he still has to take strides to perform well at the next level, saying “between now and college I would like to improve my footwork. I’m good at getting in and out of my breaks at the top of my route, but I would like to be better at it.”
All five Crystal Ball predictions on 247sports have Martinez going to UCLA.
Michigan and all the schools that have offered scholarships to Martinez see the potential he has, especially as a run-blocker.
Here is a look at exactly what Martinez can do: