Michigan's Mike Martin drawing scouts' attention

Mike Martin is too close not to keep pushing.

He has his NFL future right there in front of him, and has been doing everything possible to impress scouts leading to today's Senior Bowl.

And by all accounts, the 6-foot-2, 300-pounder has caught their attention this week.

"I've met with a lot of teams down here," the former Michigan defensive lineman said during a telephone interview. "They all said, 'You look great. You've been doing a really good job, keep doing what you're doing.' I've heard that from everyone. But I'm the type of guy I take everything with a grain of salt.

"I don't think they were expecting that from me. At least that's how I put it in my head. That fuels me. I've heard that 'because of your size you've been slotted as a tweener, as a mid-round guy.' I don't want to be a mid-round guy; I want to be a top-round guy."

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper was one of those who said size could be an issue — "I think he could be a rotation-type in that second-, third-round mix."

Martin, who will be joined by teammates Junior Hemingway and David Molk at next month's NFL combine in Indianapolis, is training with former Michigan strength coach Mike Barwis in Plymouth.

"Mike Martin is a freak, no question," Barwis said. "(He's) an Adonis. His body is amazing, his physical attributes are incredible. He's going to turn the Senior Bowl and combine upside down, and people are going to be shocked what he's able to do at 300 pounds. He's gotten a lot stronger, a lot more explosive."

Much has been made this week of Martin going against Senior Bowl teammate Mike Brewster, the former Ohio State center, during practices.

They have been rivals, as their teams have been, for years, and had their moments this week.

"We've been going after it, but we've been going after it for four years," Martin said. "We don't like each other. Because of the way we go after each other in practice it brings out the most competitive side in both of us. We go after it rep after rep. That's what you want. That's what we're down here for.

"But now that we're on the same team, we've built a rapport. It's weird, because I've kind of befriended these Ohio State guys. (tackle) Mike Adams is a real nice guy. It's all good. (Ohio State receiver) DeVier (Posey) and (Michigan State safety) Trenton Robinson are cool guys. It's like all the Big Ten guys have become friends."

Martin began to chuckle as he said the words Ohio State, Michigan Stateand friendsin the same sentence.

Sometimes Senior Bowl participants exchange their team jerseys or helmet decals, things like that, as friendsdo. Martin, however, said he's not interested in sharing with his new Ohio State teammates.

"I don't want any Buckeye things near me," Martin said, laughing. "I'm not going to deface the winged helmet in any way. It's the one I've been through battle with."

Still, while Martin believes he has played well this week in Mobile, Ala., he knows one thing:

There's room to improve.

"I want to come away from the Senior Bowl and have them asking, 'Who is this guy?'" Martin said. "By the time the combine rolls around, it's about what have you done for me now? The Combine is a big stage with all the best guys, and I want to let these guys know I'm here to stay."

Ryan Van Bergen, Martin's defensive line teammate at Michigan, said Martin, with his brute strength, is going to be even more impressive after another several weeks of training.

"Mike is going to put up numbers at the combine that no one is going to touch — he's a genetic-mutated freak," Van Bergen said. "Mike is going to kill everybody at the Senior Bowl. It's going to be ugly. People are going to be like, 'What are they doing over there at Barwis Methods?' We're going to put up numbers that other people aren't putting up."

angelique.chengelis@detnews.com

angelique.chengelis@detnews.com