Notre Dame DE close to first offer

Defensive end/offensive tackle Tony DeMartinis (6-4, 220, 4.8) from Sherman Oaks (Calif.) Notre Dame is having a fine senior season in 2004. DeMartinis and his Notre Dame teammates are two-time defending SS-CIF Division III champs and are currently sitting pretty with a perfect 7-0 record. DeMartinis is one of the reasons why.

DeMartinis has the uncanny ability to knock down passes and has 10 so far this season. He even picked off a pass against Valencia, the team that has one of the best junior quarterbacks in Southern California. DeMartinis has also three sacks on the season.

UCLA, Oregon, Washington, Washington State, Arizona, San Diego State, Fresno State, Utah, Harvard, Columbia and Yale have all called since Sept. 1.

The word is San Diego State is on the verge of making an offer. San Diego State, Fresno State, Washington and Oregon have talked visits with DeMartinis.

More than likely, DeMartinis won’t make any visits until after the season. Notre Dame is trying to win its third consecutive SS-CIF Division title.

“I’m not really thinking about visits just yet,” DeMartinis said. “My main priority is my senior season and winning another championship.”

Also a top baseball player, DeMartinis was all-league selection as a junior after racking up 42 tackles, 30 of them solo, tipped eight passes at the line of scrimmage and he ended up picking off two of the batted passes.

“Tony is a fantastic athlete,” Notre Dame coach Kevin Rooney said. “He has great leaping ability and brings a lot to the table.

“Tony is one of those players who have a great motor. He chases plays from behind. Tony is getting a lot more physical at the point of attack. We expect big senior season out of Tony.”

DeMartinis has a lot of upside. He could end up playing tight end or linebacker the collegiate level. If he adds weight he could play on the defensive or offensive line.