'2020-2023 DB - Cameron Martinez (Transfer to Boston College)

How Ohio State landed Cameron Martinez and beat Michigan State at its own game https://t.co/nvUXcViXlj

— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) November 4, 2019

 

Everybody sees what @CM240 does on the field, but it's what he does off it and how he treats people that illustrates the type of person he is. https://t.co/6c7sQovLey @OnMuskegon @BigRed_RNetwork @Muskeyfan @cmartinez3_11 @MuskCoFootball @JaredPurcellDET

— Scott DeCamp (@ScottDeCamp) November 4, 2019

 

MARTINEZ A FINALIST FOR MR. FOOTBALL
Cameron Martinez is arguably the most underrated recruit in Ohio State's 2020 class. He's a versatile, dangerous threat whose main potential lies in either being a defensive back, running back or perhaps even an emergency quarterback.


Cameron Martinez is a three-star 2020 commit for Ohio State who could be used as a defensive back, running back or quarterback. (Murray Sports Photography).

He was recently named a finalist for Michigan's Mr. Football Award. If he wins, it would be his second consecutive year winning the award.

Martinez broke Muskegon's rushing yards record (2,526) and rushing touchdowns record (38) last season en route to a state championship. This season, he has dominated once again and has Muskegon in the state semifinals on Saturday.

Ohio State 2021 running back target Donovan Edwards is another of the four finalists for the Mr. Football award.

Edwards had a leg injury that limited his sophomore season to just seven games, but he has bounced back with a vengeance this season.

 

First off I would like to thank God for allowing me to be the first two time MI Player of the Year winner and allowing me to have the season I had. I would also like to thank my coaches for everything. To my teammates, I wouldn’t trade any of our moments together for the world! pic.twitter.com/RWX1xeJPVu

— Cameron Martinez (@C_Mart1k) December 1, 2019

 

Michigan's top 2020 football player is back on Birminology. Catch up with Cam Martinez here with @Birm:https://t.co/1Pi1EKvGRk pic.twitter.com/37bTVmiFve

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) December 11, 2019

 

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MARTINEZ GETS RATINGS BUMP
Cameron Martinez’s three-star ranking has perplexed just about everyone who has watched him play in person or on film. He’s widely been regarded as the most underrated 2020 Buckeye commit, but that title may have to be given to someone else now.

Martinez was finally given a long-awaited, much-deserved ratings bump in the 247Sports Composite metric, moving to a four-star prospect after earning the state of Michigan’s Gatorade Player of the Year award, Michigan's Mr. Football, and the MLive Player of the Year for the second straight year. Martinez is now rated as the No. 14 athlete in America and the No. 7 senior recruit in Michigan.

 

⬛️ Senior Season Highlights (Touchdowns Only) https://t.co/lbJ52NmLkj
⬛️ Mlive Michigan High School Football Player Of The Year (18 & 19)
⬛️ STATE CHAMPS Hungry Howie’s Mr. Football 2019
⬛️ Gatorade Michigan High School Football Player Of The Year 2019
⬛️ 48-4
⬛️ 29 D1 Offers pic.twitter.com/GQiIQ7PDJ6

— Cameron Martinez (@C_Mart1k) December 12, 2019

 

Cameron Martinez, the two-way athlete from Muskegon (Mich.), told Lettermen Row on Friday night that he was focusing solely on what he could control. And though he was very close with Hafley, he intends to follow through with his commitment to Ohio State.

“I’ll be good,” Martinez told Lettermen Row. “I’m loyal in my commitment. I only worry about what I can control, and I’m a Buckeye.”

 

Long-time #OhioState commit will not sign this week https://t.co/bPMW0llQW9

— Josh Helmholdt (@JoshHelmholdt) December 18, 2019

 

Looks like he wants to evaluate things.........

My guess is he wants to play offense..........

 

Pretty big news on the eve of the early signing period -- Cam Martinez won't sign tomorrow.@Birm has the latest, including quotes from Martinez on the decision: https://t.co/5KbBNVXSLC

— Spencer Holbrook (@SpencerHolbrook) December 18, 2019

 

Buckeyes must secure commitment, signature of Cameron Martinez

One of the reasons why a decision needs to be made and announced on a replacement for Jeff Hafley?

Because 2020 commitment Cameron Martinez is sitting up there in Muskegon, Mich., trying to decide what to do with his future.

Martinez, who committed to Ohio State on July 4, opted not to sign during the December signing period, choosing instead to wait for February because he wants to make sure he knows who his position coach will be.

Michigan’s two-time Player of the Year according to MLive.com and this year’s Mr. Football and Gatorade Player of the Year, Martinez has never been entirely sold on playing defense in college. But he trusted that Hafley could develop him on that side of the ball. He needs to be shown why and how the next guy to coach him at that position can do the same.

As it stands, the battle for Martinez may be between Ohio State and Minnesota. But the longer things carry on without the announcement of Hafley’s replacement, the more other schools can try to get involved.

 

What’s the latest with Cameron Martinez?
While the Buckeyes coaching staff was on their break, they remained in very consistent and regular contact with Cameron Martinez.

The only Ohio State commitment who opted against signing a Letter of Intent in the December signing period, Martinez announced he would wait until February as a result of Hafley’s departure to become the coach at Boston College.

As that news found its way to the public, the schools that Martinez was most closely associated with during his recruitment were immediately linked to him again. The two-time Player of the Year in Michigan has had conversations with Northwestern and Minnesota since, but to this point there’s been nothing planned in the way of visits to any other schools. He did take official visits to those schools already, so if there’s any interest in getting back to those places, the visits would need to be of the unofficial variety.

In recent weeks, new schools have initiated conversations with the two-way athlete as well, including Notre Dame. But Martinez said there’s been limited discussion since they first reached out. The Irish could increase their push for Martinez in the next few weeks, though, and it’s likely that other schools will do the same though he remains committed to Ohio State.

For Martinez, much of what happens next is tied to Hafley’s replacement. The belief is that Ohio State will not be moving on to candidates other than former Buckeyes assistant Kerry Coombs until an official answer is given. Right now, he is trying to win a Super Bowl with the Tennessee Titans. The interest in Coombs is not a secret, but if he’s interested in the Buckeyes job, he can’t do anything about it — including recruiting — until he’s actually working for them. That means there can be no conversation with Martinez or others until then.

Obviously for Martinez and for the Buckeyes chances of retaining his commitment, the sooner that happens the better. The longer this goes on, the antsier Martinez could get, and that makes it easier for other schools to get into the conversation.

 

#OhioState coach Ryan Day looks to lock down things with #Buckeyes' commitment from Michigan, Cameron Martinez. Day will be at his hoops game tonight. VIP https://t.co/puFdguZQDq

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) January 17, 2020

 

Great time with @ryandaytime @CoachMattBarnes last night! Appreciate them coming out to the game and stopping by the house last night! #OH pic.twitter.com/uLoDKJ5vBj

— Cameron Martinez (@C_Mart1k) January 18, 2020

 

Michigan star Cameron Martinez was visited by #OhioState coaches Ryan Day and Matt Barnes. Martinez was impressed with the #Buckeyes' recruiting efforts. VIP https://t.co/r1Av4SsgnR

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) January 18, 2020

 

I'm told new #OhioState DC/DB coach Kerry Coombs is expected to see 2020 commit Cam Martinez sometime this week. Martinez told me "I can't wait to meet him".....more in this week's #ADeck on Wednesday only at @OhioStateRivals

— Alex Gleitman (@alexgleitman) January 21, 2020

 

Cam Martinez should meet Kerry Coombs on Wednesday
The much-anticipated meeting between newly-rehired Ohio State assistant coach Kerry Coombs and 2020 commitment Cameron Martinez should happen on Wednesday. The pair had their first conversation on Tuesday afternoon.

“It went good,” Martinez said. “He was fired up, and I’m his first priority. He wanted to see me as soon as he could, and tomorrow works better. So, it’s looking like he’ll be up Wednesday. I’m excited to meet him. That’s all I can really say.”

The relationship between Martinez and Coombs and how quickly it builds will likely determine whether or not the 4-star athlete from Muskegon (Mich.) takes a real look at any other schools between now and Feb. 5, the next time 2020 athletes can sign a Letter of Intent. Coombs is expected to spend time both at Muskegon High School and at home with Martinez and his family.

Ohio State had hoped to have Coombs on the recruiting trail as early as Tuesday, but it was slowed down a bit by the NCAA and its always restrictive red tape. On Monday, there was an immediate phone call from Ryan Day however as the news of Coombs hiring became official.

“Coach Day called me on Monday,” Martinez said with a laugh. “He might have said something like ‘finally’ when he told me it was happening.”