Burnsville's Kamal Martin signs with Gophers

Catching just Kamal Martin's side of the phone call he made Wednesday morning told anyone within earshot plenty about his national signing day excitement.

"Coach Glass?"

"You got it?"

"Thank you. It's a blessing."

"I can't wait."

Billy Glasscock, the Gophers director of recruiting operations, was on the other end of the line. He confirmed receipt of Martin's signed national letter of intent and welcomed the Burnsville senior to the fold.

Originally headed to Eastern Michigan, Martin flipped his verbal commitment in July. He traded a shot at quarterback for a linebacker spot at Minnesota. Burnsville coach Tyler Krebs said Martin, a consensus three-star recruit, played safety at times during his senior season and will adjust.

Playing quarterback, Martin helped Burnsville to its first state tournament appearance in 20 years. On Wednesday, he signed college commitments along with teammates Hamza Hassan (Southwest Minnesota State), Jordan Leake (Wayne State), Benn Olson (Northern Illinois) and a trio of players bound for Division II Concordia (St. Paul): Max Cantrell, Jesse Orak and Keenan Winge. Also signing was girls' soccer player Lauren LaFavre (Sioux Falls).

"This class will carry the torch for the Burnsville program," Martin said.

Olson, an offensive lineman, joined Martin on the Star Tribune All-Metro first team.

"[Martin] can do anything they ask of him; he's a crazy athlete," Olson said. "He's been a great leader and he's an even better kid."

Martin, 6-3, 234 pounds, plans to enroll in summer classes at Minnesota. Excitement was the theme of the text messages he traded with fellow incoming Gopher Carter Coughlin of Eden Prairie on Tuesday night.

David La Vaque • 612-673-7574