Notre Dame Football Exit Interviews: Nick Martin
By Pat Sullivan
Nick Martin’s departure from Notre Dame means the loss of a two-time captain and a stalwart in the middle of the offensive line. Who will take over his crucial spot at center?
Considering the 2015-2016 college football season has finally come to a close and underclassmen have officially declared for the 2016 NFL Draft, Slap the Sign presents its “Exit Interviews,” where we review the players leaving the program, what they’re leaving behind and taking with them, and how Notre Dame plans on replacing their production and experience.
Nick Martin, C
Production at ND
Nick Martin came to Notre Dame in 2011 as an underrated offensive line prospect whose older brother Zack, now an All-Pro guard for the Dallas Cowboys, had just finished his first season as a starter. After sitting out his freshman season to develop as a lineman, Nick saw action in 2012 mostly on special teams but also as the first backup lineman whenever needed.
By 2013, he had inserted himself into the starting lineup at center and proceeded to start 11 games there before having his season cut short by a knee injury. His senior year in 2014 saw Nick named a team captain as he split time starting at either center or left guard in every game that season. Like his brother, he returned for a 5th year and was again named a captain for 2015, this time starting every game at center, anchoring a fantastic offensive line that paved the way for Irish backs to rush for 207.6 yards per game.
What His Departure Means
Nick Martin is a very good interior offensive lineman, made evident by the fact that he started 24 games over the past two seasons for the Irish, only missing two games in that span due to injury. But aside from just his talent and durability, Martin will be desperately missed in terms of his leadership and experience. He was the leader on a very talented offensive line, and when QB Malik Zaire went down with a broken ankle, DeShone Kizer stepped in and the offense really didn’t miss a beat. The experienced center and the offensive line he led certainly played a role in that, and so his ability to lead both on the field and in the locker room will be a big loss for the team.
Who Will Step In?
The good news is that, like with Ronnie Stanley, there are various young pups waiting in the wings, anxious to get their chance to bulldoze defensive linemen. Rising junior Sam Mustipher is one of the most likely candidates to take over at center, considering he served as Martin’s primary backup in the 2015 season. However, sophomore-to-be Tristen Hoge was the top-ranked center in his recruiting class of 2015 and is talented enough to push Mustipher hard for that spot.
One of those two will be running the show on the offensive line next season, and looking at their size and reading about their talent that they flash in practice, it’s safe to say the team will be in good hands at center, even if it will be losing its leader and captain.
Favorite Personal Memory from Nick’s Career
It’s pretty difficult to pick a favorite memory, in terms of a highlight, from the career of an offensive lineman. So, I think my favorite thing I will remember about Nick was his choice to come back for a 5th year, meaning that against Wake Forest in November, his parents attended their fourth consecutive Senior Day pre-game ceremony. I can virtually guarantee no other parents have ever done that. An amazing accomplishment for Nick, Zack, and their parents, and also very funny that they had to keep going on the field for that.
But, if you have read to this point and feel cheated because I didn’t include any videos showing Nick knocking people around, I found a choice 12-minute video displaying Nick’s performance against Syracuse in 2014:
Now, let’s say goodbye to an incredible leader and rock-solid interior lineman, who also happens to be one of just 19 two-time captains in Notre Dame football’s 127-year history. Nick Martin will be missed, but I think I speak for all Irish fans in saying he was a fantastic representative of the University of Notre Dame, and has all the tools he needs to be a fantastic late-round steal in the NFL Draft for a team needing help up front. Good luck Nick!