James Marten attended Brebeuf Jesuit High School in Indianapolis, Indiana where he was a three-sport athlete as a member of the football, basketball, and track and field teams. He helped the basketball team to a state championship as a junior. As a senior he served as team captain on the track and field team, competing in the discus. As an offensive lineman, James earned all-county and all-state honors during both his junior and senior seasons. He served as team captain his senior year. He accepted a scholarship to Boston College where he would sit out the 2002 season as a redshirt. He saw action in all 13 games the following season, starting one game at right tackle. He served primary backup to former Boston College and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer Jeremy Trueblood. James shifted to left guard as a sophomore where he would start all 12 games. As a junior, James once again started all 12 games at left guard. He was moved to left tackle as a senior to replace the departed Trueblood. He went on to start 12 games at left tackle as a senior, earning second team all-ACC honors at the conclusion of the season.

James Marten is an experienced, versatile player who has started at left guard and left tackle over the past three seasons at Boston College. During that time he has proven to be a very durable player who has never missed a game due to injury. He is an intelligent player and a hard worker. He does have the “mean streak” you like to see in an offensive lineman. He has great size and the frame to get even bigger. He has long arms which allow him to keep defenders away from his body in pass protection. He is a good run blocker who will drive the defender back and open up running lanes. Marten has a tendency to lose the leverage battle due to his height. He doesn’t have great strength or athleticism. He lacks quick feet and will struggle against speed rushers coming off the edge. James Marten lacks the quick feet and athleticism required to play left tackle at the professional level. He is simply too tall to play inside and will probably project best at right tackle in the NFL. He looks to be a second day pick in the 2007 NFL draft.