Zack Martin

For the fictional character from The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, see Zack and Cody Martin.

Zack Martin
refer to caption
Martin with the Dallas Cowboys in 2017
No. 70 – Dallas Cowboys
Position:Guard
Personal information
Born: (1990-11-20) November 20, 1990 (age 34)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:315 lb (143 kg)
Career information
High school:Bishop Chatard
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
College:Notre Dame (2009–2013)
NFL draft:2014 / round: 1 / pick: 16
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 2, 2024
Games played:154
Games started:154
Fumble recoveries:3
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Zachary Edward Martin (born November 20, 1990) is an American professional football guard for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. Named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team, Martin has made nine Pro Bowl and nine All-Pro teams.

Early life

[edit]

Martin and his brother Nick, spent their entire elementary years from kindergarten through eighth grade at Saint Matthew Catholic School, in Indianapolis, Indiana, according to their then principal, Dr. Martin Erlenbaugh. The Martins are products of Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) sports in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.[citation needed] Zack and Nick each enrolled their freshman year at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. Zack tallied 114 pancake blocks during his senior campaign, and was named a first-team all-state selection as a senior and junior. He was a member of the Indiana Class 3A State Championship team as a sophomore with a 12–3 record, and helped lead his high school team to a 14–1 record and second consecutive Indiana Class 3A state championship as a junior in 2007.

He started both ways as a sophomore on the offensive and defensive lines, and recorded 73 tackles, including five tackles for loss as a defensive tackle during his 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. He played for legendary coach Andrew Slome.

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

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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 an 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

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+1⁄4 in
(1.94 m) 		308 lb
(140 kg) 		32+7⁄8 in
(0.84 m) 		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		 4.59 s 7.65 s 28.0 in
(0.71 m)		 8 ft 10 in
(2.69 m)		 29 reps
All values from NFL Combine[7][8]
Martin with the Cowboys in 2015

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] 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 the previous two years. On December 23, Martin became one of four rookies selected to the 2014 Pro Bowl.[11][12] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[13] On January 2, 2015, he was voted to the Associated Press (AP) 2014 All-Pro Team. This made him the only rookie picked for the team, and he became the first Cowboys rookie named to the team since running back Calvin Hill in 1969. He was also the first rookie offensive lineman to be named first-team AP All-Pro since Dick Huffman in 1947.[14]

In 2015, 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 led 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 AP.

In 2016, Martin was named to his third straight Pro Bowl and was named First-team All-Pro, both honors being shared with fellow Cowboy offensive linemen Travis Frederick and Tyron Smith.[15] He was also ranked 58th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.[16]

The Cowboys' offensive line in 2017

On April 18, 2017, the Cowboys picked up the fifth-year option on Martin's rookie contract.[17] He was named to his fourth straight Pro Bowl alongside left tackle Smith and center Frederick for the fourth straight year.[18] He was ranked 71st by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.[19]

On June 13, 2018, Martin signed a six-year, $84 million contract extension with the Cowboys with $40 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid guard in the NFL.[20] He suffered a knee injury in Week 14 and missed the following week, the first time in his career that he had missed a game.

In 2019, Martin became one of five offensive linemen ever to secure a Pro Bowl invitation in each of their first six seasons, joining Lou Creekmur (1950–57), Jon Morris (1964–70), Joe Thomas (2007–16) and Richmond Webb (1990–96).[21]

In Week 11 of the 2020 season, Martin made his first career start at right tackle due to injuries across the offensive line. On December 7, 2020, Martin was placed on injured reserve with a calf strain.[22] He was activated on January 2, 2021.[23]

On September 5, 2021, it was announced that Martin was ruled out for the 2021 season opener due to testing positive for COVID-19.[24]

Martin started all 17 games for the Cowboys in 2022, while playing for 1,143 offensive snaps, receiving one holding penalty and not allowing a single sack. For his efforts, in January 2023, Martin received a first-team All-Pro nod and a spot on the NFC roster in the Pro Bowl.[25]

On September 14, 2023, during the Cowboys' victory over the New York Jets, Martin suffered an ankle injury. On September 24, he was ruled out for their game against the Arizona Cardinals.[26]

Regular season statistics

[edit]
Legend
First Team All-Pro
Second Team All-Pro
Committed zero penalties (Year)
No type penalty
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Offense
GP GS Snaps Pct Holding False start Decl/Pen Acpt/Pen
2014 DAL 16 16 1,054 99% 1 1 0 4
2015 DAL 16 16 1,029 100% 3 3 3 8
2016 DAL 16 16 1,058 100% 1 1 0 2
2017 DAL 16 16 1,018 96% Committed no penalties (16-games)
2018 DAL 14 14 877 94% 0 1 0 1
2019 DAL 16 16 1,115 100% 1 0 0 2
2020 DAL 10 10 618 83% 0 0 1 0
2021 DAL 16 16 1,103 96% 0 1 0 2
2022 DAL 17 17 1,143 98% 1 0 0 1
2023 DAL 15 15 908 88% 0 1 1 1
2024 DAL 5 5 329 95% 0 0 0 0
Career 157 157 10,252 - 7 8 5 21

Personal life

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Martin married his wife Morgan in July 2016 and has a son and a daughter. His wife is the sister of former NFL tight end Tyler Eifert.[27] Before becoming brothers-in-law, Martin and Eifert were teammates and roommates at the University of Notre Dame. Martin's brother Nick is also an NFL center. He also played college football at Notre Dame and was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.[28]

References

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  1. ^ Zack Martin – Yahoo Sports
  2. ^ Martin makes Irish his favorite
  3. ^ Fortuna, Matt (December 17, 2012). "Top Irish linemen Martin, Nix won't enter draft". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  4. ^ Fortuna, Matt (August 23, 2013). "Captain again, Martin adds to duties". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  5. ^ "NCAA College Football FBS current team Stats". NCAA.com. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  6. ^ "Zack Martin signs four-year deal". June 16, 2014.
  7. ^ "Zack Martin Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  8. ^ "2014 Draft Scout Zack Martin, Notre Dame NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  9. ^ Watkins, Calvin (May 12, 2014). "Cowboys almost found Carter replacement". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  10. ^ Dallas Cowboys spend first-round pick on Notre Dame OT Zack Martin, pass on Johnny Manziel
  11. ^ "Zack Martin named a Pro Bowler". NBC Sports. December 24, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  12. ^ "Three rookies make it to the Pro Bowl". NBC Sports. December 23, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  13. ^ "2014 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  14. ^ Sabin, Rainer; Moore, David; Machota, Jon. "Cowboys' Pro Bowl players also receive All-Pro honors". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  15. ^ "Three rookies, Matt Ryan among players named to All-Pro team". NFL.com. January 6, 2017.
  16. ^ NFL Top 100 Players of 2017 – No. 58 Zack Martin
  17. ^ Patra, Kevin (April 18, 2017). "Dallas Cowboys pick up Zack Martin's fifth-year option". NFL.com.
  18. ^ "NFL announces 2018 Pro Bowl rosters". NFL.com. December 19, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  19. ^ NFL Top 100 Players of 2018: No. 71 Zack Martin
  20. ^ Teope, Herbie (June 13, 2018). "Cowboys, Zack Martin agree to $84M extension". NFL.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018.
  21. ^ Williams, John (December 18, 2019). "4 Dallas Cowboys Named to the 2020 Pro Bowl Roster". Insidethestar.com. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  22. ^ Archer, Todd (December 8, 2020). "Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin could be done for NFL season with calf injury". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  23. ^ Phillips, Rob (January 2, 2021). "Zack Martin Activated, But Will Not Play Sunday". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  24. ^ Scott, Jelani (September 5, 2021). "Cowboys G Zack Martin tests positive for COVID-19, will not play in season opener vs. Bucs". NFL.com. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  25. ^ D'Abate, Mike (January 24, 2023). "Cowboys Micah Parsons, Zack Martin Earn All-NFL Honors". SI.com. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  26. ^ "Updates: Zack Martin, Biasdaz inactive vs. Cardinals". DallasCowboys.com. September 30, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  27. ^ Archer, Todd (October 6, 2016). "Zack Martin's wife won't be conflicted on whom to root for Sunday". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  28. ^ "Texans select Martin, Miller on second day of NFL Draft". ABC13 Houston. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
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