Western schools eye Hoosier

UCLA and Stanford seem to be butting heads with certain prospects this spring especially with out of state offensive linemen. The two west coast schools offered offensive lineman Khalil Wilkes (6-3, 285, 5.0) from Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep and now they are lining up to battle over one of the top players from the Hoosier State.

The player in question is offensive lineman Zach Martin (6-6, 270, 5.0) from Indianapolis (Ind.) Bishop Chatard.

"Stanford came by and offered me a couple of weeks ago while UCLA was here today (May 21)," Martin said. "Bruin offensive line coach Bob Palcic said to my coach that I was their guy and offered me. He said that the written offer was mailed a couple of days ago.

"I'm not sure if I want to that far away from home," Martin said. "I've never been to California before, but I'm going to try and visit UCLA in June and maybe Stanford.

"I really don't know much about either school," Martin said. "I know (Stanford head coach) Coach Jim Harbaugh played for the Colts for a number of years and is from here.

"I really don't much about UCLA," Martin said. "I heard it is really beautiful."

The Bruins and Cardinal aren't alone with their recruitment of Martin. Joining the two west coast schools in pursuit of the talented offensive lineman from the Midwest are Indiana, Purdue, Iowa, Illinois, Northwestern, Minnesota, Michigan, Michigan State, Louisville, Kentucky, Boston College, North Carolina State, Virginia, Northern Illinois and Cincinnati.

The scouting report on Martin is he has outstanding leadership skills and plays football with a nasty attitude. He's very aggressive and really gets after it. He's a superb run blocker and a solid pass blocker. He has long arms, is flexible and is an athletic big man. An added plus is he's passionate about the game of football.

As a junior, Martin earned all-state, all-city, all-area and was a member of Indiana's top 33.

In the weight room his current bench is 325 and he squats 450.