Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Strong and True - The Martin Brothers and feel that he's part of the guys, which he's always been. "I've known him five years now. I'm happy playing next to him, he does a great job. He does a great job of communicating, too." Nick's comfort level with the fifthyear seniors certainly helped him ease into the role — he had never played center or snapped a football prior to last spring — but another important aspect in his coming of age arrived with the responsibility of blocking 357-pound senior nose guard Louis Nix III in practice. "He knows he's got to be at his best on every snap, so that in itself is a great help to any player that he has to be ready to go," offensive line coach Harry Hiestand said. "If he's a little bit off or not totally focused, he's going to get blown up, so that's a great benefit Video courtesy ND media relations to play against great competition." After protecting quarterbacks Everett Golson and Tommy Rees' blind side admirably during the undefeated regular season a year ago, no one could have blamed Zack had he chosen to forego his final year of eligibility and enter the draft. However, he wanted an opportunity so few have enjoyed in the past: the chance to start alongside his brother on an Irish football team. Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly rewarded him in August by naming Zack a captain for the second straight year, making the Indianapolis native one of just 18 two-time captains in the 126-year history of the program. "It's been great," Zack said. "It's been really cool just being able to line up next to him, but also if someone messes up on the line you kind of get on him a little bit, but if he messes up