Michael Martin II has visited Clemson so many times now, it basically feels like he is a part of the program.
The 2028 three-star in-state running back (Christ Church) worked out at camp last summer, was on hand for most every home game last season, then made four visits during the spring, including the spring game.
His last visit came less than two weeks ago for the Spring Elite Day, and as many times as he has been on campus, this last one felt a little different.
“Just speaking with the whole staff, and seeing how they feel about me,” Martin told The Clemson Insider. “Obviously, Coach (C.J.) Spiller, he has been great every single time. Going in meetings with him, talking to him one-on-one… Just really, every time I go, it gets better and better. But the last one was really personal with the whole staff.”
As for what keeps him coming back, well, there is a simple explanation.
“They show me a lot of love, they actually care,” Martin said. “That is really important.”
Clemson won’t start offering players in his class until the summer, and Martin does indeed plan to be back for camp in June in an effort to earn one.
“They just say to keep doing what I am doing and everything will fall into place,” he said. “That is really important to me. First of all, I am not going to stop working at all. The goal is obviously to get an offer from Clemson. So I am just going to keep working, doing what I am doing and hopefully it will come.”
As a sophomore, Martin rushed for more than 1,400 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry and scoring 30 rushing touchdowns, while earning 3A all-state honors.
Duke, Syracuse, Wake Forest, App State, East Carolina and Samford are some of Martin’s early offers. On top of the four trips to Clemson this spring, he also made three stops at Duke, including last weekend. Georgia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and South Carolina also got spring visits.
Outside of Clemson, Duke has also really gotten Martin’s attention, and a lot of that has centered on Blue Devils running backs coach Rodney Freeman.
“That atmosphere fits me,” Martin said of Duke. “It is kind of like how Christ Church is school-wise, academic-wise. Graduating with a Duke degree holds a lot of weight, and that is important.”
However, it is the Clemson offer that Martin really covets and there is no question he’s putting in the effort to earn it.
“Coach Spiller, Coach (Dabo) Swinney, the staff just makes me feel — it is really home to me,” Martin said. “They always support me and my dad. They care for me. It is also close to home. But they just really care.”
