ESPN: Big Ten sending 45 to NFL combine

Tag: Mike Martin

10Feb 2012
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ESPN: Big Ten sending 45 to NFL combine

Over at ESPN’s Big Ten Blog, Adam Rittenberg compiled a list of Big Ten players who were invited to the 2012 NFL combine. Participants were chosen by a selection committee whose goal was to invite “every player that will be drafted in the ensuing NFL Draft.” Unfortunately, Michigan doesn’t compare too favorably when the 45 names are broken down by team since David Molk, Mike Martin, and Junior Hemingway are U of M’s only invitees.
Wisconsin: 8
Penn State: 7
Iowa: 7
Michigan State: 6
Ohio State: 4
Nebraska: 4
Michigan: 3
Northwestern: 1
Purdue: 1
The combine will take place in Indianapolis from February 22-28.
2Feb 2012
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Mike Martin Draws NFL Attention at Senior Bowl

Defensive tackle Mike Martin
Mike Martin was quick to grab attention from NFL scouts during practices for the 2012 Senior Bowl, and he continued to impress during the actual game, finishing with three tackles against elite talent in a heavy rotation. Overall, Martin was praised for being a “disruptive force” and “quick out of the blocks” in addition to having a high motor and “violent hands.” Martin had this to say about NFL interest in an interview with the Detroit News:

“I’ve met with a lot of teams down there. They all said, ‘you look great. You’ve been doing a really good job, keep on doing what you’re doing.’ I’ve heard that from everyone. But I’m the type of guy I take everything with a grain of salt . . . I don’t think they were expecting that from me. At least that’s how I put it in my head. That fuels me. I’ve heard that ‘because of your size you’ve been slotted as a tweener, as a mid-round guy.’ I don’t want to be a mid-round guy; I want to be a top-round guy.”

Martin is “shooting up the draft boards,” according to some sources and has spoken with the Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Rams among others. Mel Kiper currently projects Martin to be a second or third round selection.

28Jan 2012
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2012 Senior Bowl

DT Mike Martin will be Michigan’s only representative in the 2012 Senior Bowl

The 2012 Senior Bowl will be played today, January 28, at 4:00 p.m.

Players who might be of interest to Michigan fans:

OT Mike Adams – Ohio State
RB Vick Ballard – Mississippi State
C Mike Brewster – Ohio State
LB Audie Cole – North Carolina State (from the state of Michigan)
QB Kirk Cousins – Michigan State
DE Jack Crawford – Penn State
DT Mike Daniels – Iowa
FB Bradie Ewing – Wisconsin
RB Dan Herron – Ohio State
QB Ryan Lindley – San Diego State
TE Brian Linthicum – Michigan State
S D’Anton Lynn – Penn State
DT Mike Martin – Michigan
WR Marquis Maze – Alabama (former Michigan commit)
WR Marvin McNutt – Iowa
P Brad Nortman – Wisconsin
WR DeVier Posey – Ohio State
S Trenton Robinson – Michigan State
S Harrison Smith – Notre Dame
DT Devon Still – Penn State
WR Nick Toon – Wisconsin
OG Johnnie Troutman – Penn State
K Carson Wiggs – Purdue
QB Russell Wilson – Wisconsin
S Kyle Wojta – Wisconsin
OG Kevin Zeitler – Wisconsin

31Dec 2011
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Top Five Wolverines of 2011

Brady Hoke

1. Brady Hoke.  The first year head coach has brought back a winning attitude and solid defensive play, things that were sorely missing for a few years.

2. Greg Mattison.  The new defensive coordinator, brought back to Michigan after stints with the Florida Gators and Baltimore Ravens, took last season’s defensive players, added a few freshmen, and concocted the #17 defense in the country.

3. Denard Robinson.  The quarterback looked shaky at the beginning of the season while adjusting to offensive coordinator Al Borges’s offense, but Robinson turned it on toward the end of the year.  He’s one of the most electrifying players in the entire country.

4. Mike Martin.  The nose tackle had an excellent year for Michigan, especially in the second half of the season.  More so than creating havoc inside, it was exciting to see the 6’2″, 304-pounder chase down plays from sideline to sideline.  Michigan hasn’t had a nose tackle this athletic in my memory.

5. David Molk.  The four-year starter at center won the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation’s top snapper.  It’s a well deserved award for a quick and intelligent lineman with an old-school attitude.

Thanks to all the Wolverines for working hard and giving us fans an exciting 2011 season.  Hopefully even better things are to come in 2012, including a Sugar Bowl victory against Virginia Tech on Tuesday.  Go Blue!