Greer Martini and his father, Dr. Doug Martini, had high expectations for the 2014 linebacker’s unofficial visit to Notre Dame on Thursday.
Those expectations were met.
“It went great,” Dr. Martini said. “It’s a real serious place. They’re very serious about athletics and very serious about academics. We were very impressed.
“I think it’s a great program. It’s what I had hoped for.”
Martini, who attends the same Woodberry Forest School in Woodberry Forest Va., as 2012 Notre Dame safety signee C.J. Prosise, was struck by Notre Dame’s commitment to excellence.
“They told me you don’t come to Notre Dame to just be alright, you come to Notre Dame to be excellent,” he said. “I want to be excellent.”
Martini had the chance to meet with his area recruiter, Scott Booker, Irish recruiting coordinator Tony Alford and linebackers coach Bob Diaco.
“Everything went well,” Martini said of his visit. “I really liked how the coaches were all upfront with me and told me exactly what they wanted.
“I just really like all of the coaches there and the messages they tried to bring about. You’re a real student-athlete at Notre Dame and there are no exceptions for athletes with academics.”
Martini already liked Booker from his previous dealings with the Irish assistant, but this was his first time meeting with Diaco.
“I like Coach Diaco a lot,” he said. “He sat down with us and told us exactly what he wants in an inside linebacker. He wants a big, 6-foot-4, 6-foot-5 inside linebacker who can come down and fill the hole. He was really upfront with us and I really liked it.”
Already 6-3 and 215 pounds, Martini, who earned All-Prep, All-Central Virginia and All-State honors playing as a sophomore, would seem to be a great fit.
Martini was also impressed with Notre Dame’s campus.
“I was mesmerized by the campus,” he said. “It’s a beautiful campus. The Golden Dome and everything was just amazing.”
Before returning home, Martini and his father will stop in Ann Arbor for an unofficial visit to Michigan on Friday. “I’m really looking forward to that,” said Martini.
Martini already has plans to return to South Bend this summer for an Irish one-day camp.
“I’m definitely going to do it,” he said. “Coach Booker just has to send us the date.”
