Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/311901
get to Saturday or Sunday. Then on Sunday, he's your best player, a can't- miss guy like I've never had before." Martin is the highest-drafted Irish offensive lineman since Andy Heck went to the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 15 pick in 1989. No Irish offensive linemen had gone in the first round since Jeff Faine went to Cleveland 21st overall in 2003. On Oct. 5, 2013, Martin played at AT&T Stadium when Notre Dame topped Arizona State 37-34 in the Shamrock Series. "You've never seen anything like that before," he said. "It's just so big and you have the Jumbotron and all that stuff. It's obviously a very special place to watch a game, and I can't wait to play in it again." Former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel — once projected to be among the top five picks — fell during the draft and was available when the Cowboys picked. Once they were on the clock, fans clamored for owner Jerry Jones to choose the in- state talent. "That's fine by me. I can live up to that," Martin said of being known as the player who was chosen instead of Manziel. The Cowboys last selected a Notre Dame player in 2010 when offensive lineman Sam Young went to them in the sixth round. "I think Zack Martin went at the low end of where he was going to come off the board," DraftCountdown. com analyst Scott Wright said. "If he came off in the top 10 or 12 nobody would've blinked an eye. "He's going to play for America's team, and they need offensive line help. He'll be a starter for them." STEPHON TUITT TO PITTSBURGH Stephon Tuitt did not go in the first round as many mock drafts had predicted, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are widely viewed as an excellent landing spot for Tuitt's versatility. The organization selected him with the No. 46 overall pick (second round). "Oh my gosh, it's exciting," Tuitt said. "It's a blessing to be part of this defense. I can't wait to get there and help this team, and be part of an organization that many people don't get a chance to be part of." Tuitt had offseason surgery on a stress fracture in his left foot, but he is not expected to miss any time this summer. "Stephon Tuitt to the Steelers is a great situation," Wright said. "He's a perfect fit for that defense in the five-technique. He's got a starting spot waiting for him opposite Cameron Heyward and a strong organization that's going to help him maximize his potential. "If he can stay healthy and in shape, he'll play like a top-10 overall pick." TROY NIKLAS CONTINUES 'TIGHT END U.' TRADITION Tight end Troy Niklas, a surprise early entrant into the NFL Draft after his junior season at Notre Dame, was scooped up by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 52 overall pick (second round). Niklas joins former Irish tight end John Carlson and former Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd in the desert. "Arizona was a place that I actually