Husker linebacker Martin hopes to change perception, win starting role

Eric Martin's days of napping in the film room are over.

Coaches said the sophomore linebacker infamous for his untimely siestas was at 90 percent mentally early in fall camp.

And while that's not perfect, it's a big change for a player who made a name for himself last season with big hits on special teams — and a slight lack of attentiveness in team meetings.

"In a few weeks, I should be up there at 100 or 99 percent," Martin said.

"I'm still making some mistakes but not constant mistakes."

Ask Martin if it's a challenge to push through the grind of fall camp, and his answer shows both the eager personality that made him a fan favorite as an 18-year-old true freshman and a rapid maturation that he hopes to parlay into a starting spot.

"It's (hard) because you don't have anything to look forward to," Martin said.

"But we take it as looking forward to a better day."

Martin wants that better day to come Sept. 4, when the Cornhuskers open the season against Western Kentucky.

After recording 15 tackles and playing sparingly on defense in 2009, Martin is locked in a battle for a starting job with Will Compton, Mathew May and junior college transfer Lavonte David.

Having that deep field of contenders is bittersweet for Martin, who raved about the progression of David over the fall.

While he said he wouldn't want David playing for another team, he also hopes to beat his new teammate out for playing time.

"I'm glad he's here. He's got freakish talent," Martin said.

"If he's playing full-time, of course, I'm not going to like it because I'm not out there.

"But if he's doing better than me out on that field and on film, then he should be out there first."

Coach Bo Pelini said the depth at linebacker gives him several personnel possibilities even after losing returning starter Sean Fisher to a season-ending leg injury last week.

"We have a lot of options, a lot of interchangeable parts," Pelini said.

Compton, who played primarily against the run last season, is a front-runner for one of the two starting spots this year.

He said dueling for playing time in practice brings out the best in everyone.

"The competition will be good," Compton said.

"The best will play. You get more of a sense of urgency, but it will be fun."

For Martin, limiting distractions, maintaining focus and — most importantly — not dozing off during film sessions will be key to winning that battle.

He might have passed a small test on that front when asked what he thought of Nebraska's impending move to the Big Ten Conference.

"It doesn't faze me," he said. "It's all football."


NOTES

 - Tight end doesn't enroll: A week after he told several news outlets he intended to transfer to Nebraska, former Washington tight end Kavario Middleton did not enroll at UNL and won't become a Husker.

His transfer plans were reportedly undone by academic issues, and Middleton is expected to land at an FCS school that will grant him immediate eligibility.
mitchsmith@dailynebraskan.com