Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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44 SEPT. 26, 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY MIKE SINGER S outh Bend Saint Joseph class of 2028 defensive back Maddon Martin's life revolves around football, even when he's away from the field. When Martin has some free time, he may be playing the Madden NFL video game, and he dabbles in EA Sports Col- lege Football 26 as well. Playing the game helps young men like Martin get a better understanding of football sche- matics and concepts, and in between games Martin spends more time than most on the roster management and building side of things. "It's something that's definitely been a big deal to me," Martin told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "I'm able to see a visual representation of different coverages and understand situational football. Things like that have helped me learn more about the game." The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Martin is the son of Notre Dame general manager Mike Martin, who spent 23 years in the NFL before joining the Irish staff in February 2025. A major part of Martin's job is man- aging the roster, and that's something Maddon loves doing in the video game. "It's a natural instinct I get from be- ing around him, seeing his vision and how he goes about building teams," the younger Martin said. "Before I get to playing the game, I have to make sure my team is set. "It's something I find interesting. I've talked about it before with him — whenever I'm done playing football, be- ing in a front office is something I'd be interested in because I've been around it my whole life." Martin posted 34 tackles, 11 passes broken up and didn't allow a touch- down as an all-conference performer as a sophomore in 2025. He holds scholar- ship offers from Auburn, Miami (Ohio), Eastern Kentucky, Alabama State, San Diego State, Austin Peay, Coastal Caro- lina and East Carolina. "Above all, he's a really smart foot- ball player," Mike Martin said. "He's been around the game his entire life. He knows ball and has a much better un- derstanding of it than I did when I was his age. His football acumen and IQ are his greatest assets. "He's a smooth athlete who has natu- ral coverage ability. Maddon is an aware player. He has the ability to react quickly to the ball in the air. He doesn't panic. A lot of young players tighten up when the ball is in the air and at the moment of truth, but Maddon doesn't." F O O T B A L L RECRUITING Maddon Martin, The Son Of Notre Dame GM Mike Martin, Is On A Unique Recruiting Journey Mike Martin, Notre Dame football's general manager, is trying to have a balanced approach in the recruit- ment of his son Maddon, a junior defensive back at St. Joseph High School in South Bend. PHOTO COURTESY MADDON MARTIN