Zips announce four-star transfer

Football
The team announced the arrival of blue-chip transfer Dale Martin from Louisville.
The running back was a four-star recruit according to Rivals.com and Scout.com when he came out of Bolingbrook, Ill. -- the same high school as Ryan Bain.
Louisville fans are calling this a big loss. They speculated that Martin may have been frustrated by some injuries, and he did not like his outlook to get playing time early. Also, Martin committed to Louisville shortly before coach Bobby Petrino left for the Atlanta Falcons. After Petrino left, Martin had to be talked into keeping his commitment.
Martin's highlight videos show me a speedy runner with a tremendous sense of balance. To take down Dale Martin, you must pop him AND wrap him up.
Martin had scholarship offers from Nebraska, California, Florida, Tennessee and many others. He will sit out 2008 and be eligible next season. GoZips.com lists him as a redshirt freshman.
The unusual part about the transfer is that the university announced it. Typically, you have to milk these things from coaches.

Notes...
The ABJ's Patrick McManamon gave his opinion on the Devoe Torrence saga. It seems like he's in favor of giving him a second chance. In the story, Mack Rhoades said Torrence would not be a Zip if there were other sketchy pieces of his past.
The university is appealing the $3 million price tag on Joe Nemer's land. A move by the board of trustees suggests that UA might back off buying it at that cost.
Check by the blog tomorrow. I will be at football camp in the morning with Dan Kadar. We will shoot a nifty video and get some cool interviews for you.