Zack Martin is the first rookie offensive linemen the Cowboys have ever sent to the Pro Bowl. Notre Dame’s four-time Offensive Lineman of the Year was the fourth offensive lineman taken in last year’s draft, behind Greg Robinson (2nd), Jake Matthews (6th) and Taylor Lewan (12th). None of those three have made close to the impact that Martin has made for the Cowboys, who had three starters on the offensive line named to the Pro Bowl. Martin’s success at the next level continues to prove that Irish fans may well have been watching the best offensive lineman to ever play at Notre Dame. The ironman reputation Martin built in South Bend continues in Dallas, with Martin able to answer the bell on Sunday even after badly spraining his ankle. Martin has also earned a reputation as one of the Cowboys’ most valuable players, with Pro Football Focus grading him out as the team’s best offensive lineman. “I couldn’t ask for better teammates, better coaches,” Martin said. “I really feel like I hit the lottery coming down here and being a part of this.” Zachary Edward Martin was born November 20, 1990 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He graduated from Saint Matthew Catholic Elementary School, Indianapolis, prior to enrolling his freshman year at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He 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, he was rated the 22nd best offensive tackle in the nation. He accepted a scholarship from Notre Dame over offers from Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan. After red-shirting 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. 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. 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. He was named MVP of the 2013 Pinstripe Bowl after a 29-16 defeat of Rutgers, becoming the first offensive lineman since 1959 (Jay Huffman) to receive that distinction in a college bowl game. He was drafted by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft with the 16th pick.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 16:28:36 +0000