Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/102697
under the DOME FollowingMartin and The Leaders Zack Louis Nix III skip NFL for one more season By Lou Somogyi N otre Dame's 2012 fortunes took a tremendous turn for the better last winter when linebacker Manti Te'o and tight end Tyler Eifert opted to bypass their high NFL draft status and return as Notre Dame seniors. The outlook in 2013 received a similar surge of momentum when offensive tackle Zack Martin and nose guard Louis Nix III followed the example of those two All-American leaders. Head coach Brian Kelly announced Dec. 17 that both Martin and Nix, who submitted paperwork to the NFL for an assessment of their draft status, chose to return to Notre Dame in 2013. Their return fortifies both lines as strengths for Notre Dame in 2013. Martin has started all Martin, seen here with his parents on Notre Dame's Senior Day in November, has started all 39 games at offensive left tackle the past three seasons and graded out as the top lineman each year. Photo by bill panzica 39 games at offensive left tackle the past three seasons and graded out as the top lineman each time — earning him an unprecedented three straight "Guardian of The Year Award" honors as Notre Dame's top offensive lineman. If Martin can answer the bell in all 13 games again next season, he would set a Notre Dame record for the most career starts, currently held by 2006-09 offensive tackle Sam Young, who had 50 consecutive starting assignments.