Zack Martin

Zachary Edward Martin (born November 20, 1990) is an American football offensive guard for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Notre Dame and was drafted 16th overall by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Early years

Zack and his brother Nick, spent their entire elementary years from kindergarten through eighth grade at Saint Matthew Catholic School, in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Martins are products of Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) sports in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Zack and Nick each enrolled their freshman year at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. Zack tallied 114 pancake blocks during senior campaign, and was named first-team all-state selection as senior and junior. He was a member of Indiana Class 3A State Championship team as sophomore with 12-3 record, and helped lead high school team to 14-1 record and second consecutive Indiana Class 3A state championship as junior in 2007. He started both ways as sophomore along offensive and defensive lines, and recorded 73 tackles including five tackles for loss as defensive tackle during sophomore season in 2006. He also starred in basketball during his sophomore and junior years at Bishop Chatard. His style of play earned him the nickname "The Butcher", given to him by opposing fans. He was selected to play in the 2009 Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando, Florida. He also competed in track & field as a shot putter and discus thrower.

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated the 22nd best offensive tackle in the nation.^[1] He accepted a scholarship from Notre Dame over offers from Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan.^[2]

College career

After redshirting in 2009, he became the starting left tackle for the Irish in 2010. He saw action in all 13 games in 2010, and was one of 11 players to start all 13 games for the Irish that season. As a junior in 2011, he started all 13 games at left offensive tackle, and was part of a unit that only allowed 17 sacks during the season. He helped pave the way for a running game that averaged 4.8 yards a carry, the best by a Notre Dame team since 1996. In 2012, he was named one of four team captains for the Irish. He started all 13 games and helped lead the team to a 12-0 regular season record and a trip to the 2013 BCS National Championship Game against the Alabama Crimson Tide, but lost 42-14. He announced he would return to the Irish for the 2013-2014 season.^[3]

In his final season, he was named team captain for the second time, becoming only the 18th player in school history to earn such honor.^[4] Martin would start all 13 games, setting a new school record for career starts by an offensive lineman with 52. He was leader of a unit that allowed only 8 sacks, tied for second best in the FBS.^[5] He was named MVP of the 2013 Pinstripe Bowl after a 29-16 win over Rutgers, becoming the first offensive lineman since 1959 (Jay Huffman) to receive that distinction in a college bowl game.^[6]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

In the 2014 NFL Draft, there was speculation that the Dallas Cowboys would select quarterback Johnny Manziel if he was available. Instead, the team had targeted linebacker Ryan Shazier, who ended up going to the Pittsburgh Steelers.^[9] With the 16th pick of the first round the Cowboys drafted Martin with the intention of converting him to an offensive guard.^[10]

2014 season

He was named the starter at right guard from the first day of Organized Team Activities in the preseason, replacing Mackenzy Bernadeau, who had been the starter in the previous two years. His addition contributed to the offensive line becoming arguably the best in the league.

On December 23, Martin became one of four rookies selected to the 2014 Pro Bowl.^[11][12] On January 2, 2014 he was voted to the AP 2014 All-Pro Team, the only rookie to make the team, and was the first Cowboys rookie since running back Calvin Hill was named to the team in 1969. Also, he was the first rookie offensive lineman to be named first-team AP All-Pro since Dick Huffman in 1947.^[13]

2015 season

Martin had a second All-Pro caliber season in as many years despite losing Demarco Murray to the division rivals Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. Martin and company lead the NFL's ninth best rushing attack as teammate Darren McFadden finished fourth in rushing with 1,089 yards. Martin played for Team Irvin along with each of his elected teammates in the 2016 Pro Bowl and was named second team All-Pro by the Associated Press.

References

External links

• Notre Dame Fighting Irish bio
• Dallas Cowboys bio