Andre Martin walked into the NDSU library this morning with his computer briefcase and the look of a graduate student. More on the Bison senior cornerback later this week — he’s the subject of our Forum Game Day story.

But know this: there’s a lot going on with his plate this week. His wife, Nadia Martin, will be induced Wednesday morning for the birth of their first child. A level-headed, soft-spoken man, Andre Martin said things so far are going as well as could be expected this week. He plans on playing at Northern Iowa on Saturday, which oh by the way is the school he transferred from this year to attend graduate school at NDSU. Martin is taking advantage of an NCAA rule that allows students with their undergraduate degree to transfer to another school for graduate work and be eligible immediately.

Martin has been an immediate hit with his new team. He said Fargo has been a great place for him and his family, which will grow by one on Wednesday. Here’s WDAY’s story on Andre and his crazy week.

Here is my story on Andre Martin, who transferred from Northern Iowa to North Dakota State at the conclusion of spring semester. He seems like a rather classy individual, although I would guess some of his former teammates will let him know what they really think of the move when the teams play next fall.

One part of the story that wasn’t printed were Martin’s comments on finding a place in the lineup. He’s coming here knowing that the starters coming out of spring football are Brendin Pierre and Marcus Williams,

 ”We have two great corners here,” he said. “It’s me getting into (a graduate program) and me getting better as a player. That’s the only way to get to the next level. Like I said, we have two great corners, as well as a coach behind me too, so you can’t beat it. It’s icing on the cake.”

Andre Martin (8) chases Iowa State running back Alexander Robinson last season.

Interesting day to say the least in the world of Bison football today. Nothing like adding more hot sauce to an already spicy game when NDSU visits Northern Iowa next season. Andre Martin transferring from Cedar Falls to Fargo was a bombshell transfer that is about as intriguing as it gets.

Martin was a star two years ago with 77 tackles and a team-leading five interceptions. This guy is an athlete — runs a sub 4.5-second 40 and has been good every year with the exception of last season, when he fell off to 17 tackles. It led to an obvious question to Craig Bohl: Was he hurt? “Bad back,” Bohl said. “But he’s healthy now.”

This transfer perhaps hurts UNI more than it helps NDSU. The Panthers have a brutal schedule next season opening at Wisconsin, Iowa and Youngstown State and hosting NDSU in the first five games. They lost several key veterans off of last year’s team and they need every seasoned senior they can find to handle that kind of a start.

Moreover, the Bison have perhaps the best lot of three cornerbacks in the country now with Marcus Williams, Brendin Pierre and Martin. It never hurts to have a sub 4.4 guy on special teams either. Is the talent level on par to last year? Easily. There are still concerns in the offensive line and receiver in my mind, but everywhere else is solid if not outstanding.

I’m not sure where the three JUCOs will fit yet. Historically, it takes JC transfers a while to get in the fold. I think d-end Jeremy Gordon from NDSCS can fill a depth need behind Cole Jirik and Kyle Emanuel. NDSU rotated defensive players freely last year and probably will do so next year. NDSU looks loaded, really loaded, on defense next year.