2016 Senior Bowl Interview: Nick Martin – C (Notre Dame)

Senior Bowl 2016 Interview – C Nick Martin

1/26/16

Measurables:

Hgt:  6’ 4 1/8”

Wgt:  296lbs.

Hand:  9 5/8”

Arm:  32 ¼”

Wing: 6‘ 5 3/8”

PROFILE:  The younger brother of Dallas Cowboys All-Pro guard and Notre Dame alum Zack Martin, Nick Martin recovered from a season-ending knee injury in November 2013 to turn in 13 starts, mostly at guard, in 2014 after starting 11 at center in 2013. He moved back to center as a redshirt senior in 2015 and started all 13 games after being named season-long captain for the second consecutive season. In 2015 allowed just three hurries, three hits and one sack on 374 pass blocking snaps (98.1 percent) and helped the Irish rush for 2,699 yards (most since 1996).

On being part of the Senior Bowl experience:

Very proud to be a part of here. The best players in college football come together to compete which is a very cool experience.

On where he feels he fits best at the next level:

Center position.

On what he feels are his best traits that he will bring to an NFL team:

Well, I feel that I can reach block. I think that’s very important at the next level. I think that I can help with pass pro a little bit longer and my bigger size, that helps out my game too.

On what areas he feels he needs to showcase to scouts here at the Senior Bowl:

I think the biggest thing is just compete. Playing hard every play. You’re going to get beat – that’s part of the game obviously with great players.  And how you react, how you come back and how you handle yourself in adversity. That’s really big in football.

On which one or two players that he went up against, either teammates in practice or game opponents, who made him a better player:

Well, the first two that come to mind are Sheldon Day (ND teammate).  Really just a great player – fast off the ball. And then Jalen Smith (ND teammate), who in college football, you’re not going to face a better linebacker.

On what has been the best advice he has gotten from the Senior Bowl coaching staff (Cowboys staff):

You know, it was pretty hectic when we got here. They stopped and said – hey, why don’t you go get your pads on and let’s go play football! Enjoy it, but just go play football and do what you know what to do.

On what it’s like to represent Notre Dame one last time:

There’s a lot of tradition at Notre Dame. Had an unbelievable four and a half years there. And the first that comes to mind is just pride. You represent everyone who is at the University, who coached you, who came before you. When it comes down to it, very prideful.