Oliver Martin behind-the-back catch in practice

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

This was the catch everyone on Scout was buzzing about-

It's at 1:02 of the video

edit: I made a gif

Blue in Paradise

August 11th, 2017 at 12:20 PM ^

talked about it this week.  I thought the implied time frame was obvious for anyone who follows recruiting but I will clarify:

Sam didn't mean that Iowa thought they would get Martin as a PWO on signing day - he was talking about the 2 years before he blew up at the 2016 Nike Opening.  They could have had this kid locked down before anyone else got involved, but they didn't because they figured they could get him as a PWO or maybe a last minute grab if there was a scholarship available. 

Of course, once he started getting big time offers then Iowa went after him hard but it was too late by then.

 

Read this - Iowa fans were complaining about the lack of interest shown by KF as late as June 2016...

https://iowa.forums.rivals.com/threads/oliver-martin-has-as-becky-offer…

 

Wolverine In Iowa 68

August 11th, 2017 at 12:09 PM ^

And I wasn't saying they were cheesed off at Martin, they're cheesed off in general at losing him.

Most of the guys I know are pretty smart.  They look at Ferentz and say "Yeah, he's well past his prime, but if we dump him, who would we replace him with?  Who else could we get, and it's not like a new coach will suddenly start recruiting high star level players to Iowa City (they know there's not much here....save corn)?  Who would do a better job of coaching up the 3* talent and making a run every 3 or 4 years for the West?"

Martin was a miss for them, the fans know it, and they're not happy with Kirk, but it's just one more on the tally sheet. 

He's still got a TON of goodwill overall, for the most part, because...well, it IS Iowa, and they're just super friendly here for the most part.

Wolverine In Iowa 68

August 11th, 2017 at 12:48 PM ^

I said in another thread, Iowa is known (by the smart fans) for typically winning a game they probably shouldn't (which happened to be us last season), and then losing a game they shouldn't.

That's what drives them nuts about him, he can coach out his ass one game, and the next he just seems to mail it in because he's got the University/City/State by the balls.

Overall, I think he's done a great job with what he's had to work with over the years.

lhglrkwg

August 11th, 2017 at 12:26 PM ^

Here's a generic video of Mason Cole talking about the offense gelling and focusing...oh and by the way, here's a clip of a true freshman Oliver Martin making an absurd catch which we will show you but not acknowledge whatsoever