'09 IN OT Zack Martin (Notre Dame Man)

[Grahambo]

Bill King ‏@BillisKing
@BGI_JasonSapp likes the chances of Louis Nix lll and Zach Martin coming back.

1h Jason Sapp ‏@BGI_JasonSapp
@BillisKing Thanks for having me on! Two big reasons: Stephon Tuitt & Nick Martin

 

[KPENN]

Returning for 5th year according to BK at presser.

 

[jimmymac]

Returning for 5th year according to BK at presser.

HUGE!!

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

That is fantastic.

 

[clashmore_mike]

Didn't send in NFL paperwork apparently, which is awesome.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Our 6 star recruit. Along side Louis.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Wow! The left side of the line is going to be so dominant next year.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Gentlemen, we are SO blessed that our two giants are returning.

Thank you Zach.

A meditation: how many similar talents playing for schools not named Notre Dame decide to come back to their Alma Mater and family under these situations??

 

[irishff1014]

Going be very good to have him back.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

A meditation: how many similar talents playing for schools not named Notre Dame decide to come back to their Alma Mater and family under these situations??

I've had similar thoughts. Over the last two years, we've seen three projected 1st round talents postpone the fame and fortune of the NFL in order to graduate from ND. That's got to be unprecedented.

And now Z. Martin and Nix. That's got to be telling for prospective recruits. This sort of thing just doesn't happen at other schools.

 

[arrowryan]

Could he be the best LT in college football next year? Top 5 for sure

 

[Me2SouthBend]

L to R Zach, Lombard, Hegarty/Hanratty, N Martin, Watt?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

L to R Zach, Lombard, Hegarty/Hanratty, N Martin, Watt?

Watt's a pure OG. I don't expect Z. Martin, Watt, or Lombard to change positions.

My guess would be:

Z. Martin - Watt - Hegarty - N. Martin - Lombard

 

[Ironman8]

Early, early guess for next year is Z. Martin, Watt, Hegarty, Nick Martin, Lombard.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

YES!

That left side should dominate next year.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Watt's a pure OG. I don't expect Z. Martin, Watt, or Lombard to change positions.

My guess would be:

Z. Martin - Watt - Hegarty - N. Martin - Lombard

Thanks, couldn't recall who was next to Zach. The beauty is you hardly ever hear their names called which is exactly how you want it. That should be a dominant line again. I think Nick is going to be a Destroyer.

 

[yankeeND]

I would think if everyone's healthy it would looks like:

LT LG C RG RT
Z. Martin Watt Hegarty N. Martin Lombard

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Could he be the best LT in college football next year? Top 5 for sure

Best...no...top 5 yes.

 

[NDhoosier]

dont forget about Stanley though either, he would make a great Tackle. Lombard can play either Guard or Tackle. Depending on who is healthy for Center, it could end up looking like:

Z. Martin -- Watt -- N. Martin -- Lombard -- Stanley/Nichols (if healthy)

Either way, now that both Zach and Watt are returning, I think the Oline will be in pretty good shape for 2013.

 

[Old Man Mike]

My opinion is worth about as much as high-quality roadkill on this, but I'd say:

1). If Hegarty is A-OK, then he is center certainly. Coach liked his progress on everything towards season's end.
2). If #1 is true, then ZMart, Watt, Lombard, and Hegarty start, but who else?
3). Talk seems to favor NMart, but Ronnie Stanley is a true force according to what we hear as well. This coinflip could hinge on whether Coach wants to slide Lombard into Right Guard or not. Opening a tackle position might make a Stanley startership more appealing --- even NMart looked to be more tackle than guard for a long time.
4). Whatever goes on, the one of NMart and Stanley who is not starting, combines with Mark Harrell and Conor Hanratty to give the "eight" that you really need to keep the frosh from burning a year. Since Heggie is still available [and who knows about Nichols], we have even greater chances of not having to burn any years. But if Matt can't go full out, and there's no Nichols, EE Michigan Mountain might still have to play.

 

[rtrn2glory]

agreed with OMM...the fifth guy will be the best between ronnie stanley and nick martin...not sure who that is yet, but best guess is nick

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I've had similar thoughts. Over the last two years, we've seen three projected 1st round talents postpone the fame and fortune of the NFL in order to graduate from ND. That's got to be unprecedented.

And now Z. Martin and Nix. That's got to be telling for prospective recruits. This sort of thing just doesn't happen at other schools.

All I want to know was did this thought come in the shower?

Seriously, We know how important Louis is, but in the NC game and all next season, I think you will see how important our two returning fifth year offensive linemen are:

1) Gaping holes, and physcial dominance;

2) Senior leadership;

3) Chance for underclassmen to get meaningful minutes, integrated into play for 2014 replacement.

 

[Emcee77]

ZMart told Lou Somogyi at 247 that the key factors in his decision to come back were not only the chance to play with his brother and his relationship with Watt, but also the chance to play another year under Hiestand. Raved about him as both a coach and a person.

Great, great hire by BK.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

ZMart told Lou Somogyi at 247 that the key factors in his decision to come back were not only the chance to play with his brother and his relationship with Watt, but also the chance to play another year under Hiestand. Raved about him as both a coach and a person.

Great, great hire by BK.

I love it.

 

[ThePiombino]

ZMart told Lou Somogyi at 247 that the key factors in his decision to come back were not only the chance to play with his brother and his relationship with Watt, but also the chance to play another year under Hiestand. Raved about him as both a coach and a person.

Great, great hire by BK.

Was this cat already let out of the bag, or did ZMart just confirm that Watt would be back for his 5th year?

 

[Ironman8]

Was this cat already let out of the bag, or did ZMart just confirm that Watt would be back for his 5th year?

It is already known that Watt will be back.

 

[Emcee77]

Was this cat already let out of the bag, or did ZMart just confirm that Watt would be back for his 5th year?

Watt said it himself prior to the Wake Forest game, apparently (I didn't hear about it), and Kelly confirmed it Monday.

 

[ThePiombino]

It is already known that Watt will be back.

Watt said it himself prior to the Wake Forest game, apparently (I didn't hear about it), and Kelly confirmed it Monday.

Wow, either I've reached mental capacity or I totally missed this one. Thanks, gents!

 

[irishmarine]

So one of our major fears has been out to rest. Glad all of us can walk away from that cliff...

 

[Bogtrotter07]

My opinion is worth about as much as high-quality roadkill on this, but I'd say:

1). If Hegarty is A-OK, then he is center certainly. Coach liked his progress on everything towards season's end.
2). If #1 is true, then ZMart, Watt, Lombard, and Hegarty start, but who else?
3). Talk seems to favor NMart, but Ronnie Stanley is a true force according to what we hear as well. This coinflip could hinge on whether Coach wants to slide Lombard into Right Guard or not. Opening a tackle position might make a Stanley startership more appealing --- even NMart looked to be more tackle than guard for a long time.
4). Whatever goes on, the one of NMart and Stanley who is not starting, combines with Mark Harrell and Conor Hanratty to give the "eight" that you really need to keep the frosh from burning a year. Since Heggie is still available [and who knows about Nichols], we have even greater chances of not having to burn any years. But if Matt can't go full out, and there's no Nichols, EE Michigan Mountain might still have to play.

Really profound and very important. Tight high impact group.