Zack Martin

Martin lined up at both guard and tackle at the Senior Bowl and routinely stymied the competition with quickness, power and overall technique. Though Martin lacks the prototypical size of a modern NFL tackle, he has exhibited impressive technique and better-than-average strength, and after a strong Senior Bowl showing, many scouts believe he could not only play on the outside at the next level, but could do so very well. Although all 39 of his college starts were at tackle, teams are looking at Martin mostly as a guard. He is short for a left tackle and perhaps not powerful enough for a right tackle. Regardless, he is a team leader who made a case for himself at tackle with a good showing in the Senior Bowl workouts. Frankly: Picking a position for him to play is the only issue. This smart, aware, two-time team captain with the most career games in Notre Dame history (52) can certainly play somewhere.

strengths

Very good at keeping his feet underneath him while keeping his butt low to handle both speed and power. He does play with good quickness (but not explosiveness) off the snap, showing knee bend and core strength to anchor, as well as the lateral agility to mirror more athletic defenders.

he also shows better athleticism than you might think when blocking on the move, demonstrating above average straight-line speed to get to the second level, as well as the nastiness to bury his target into the ground.

WEAKNESSES

logan mankins, og, new england patriots - mankins has been one of the nfl's most valuable offensive linemen since being selected by new england in the first round of the 2005 draft, and has anchored the patriots' front line with top-notch instincts, toughness and versatility despite lacking elite athleticism. martin exhibits many of the same traits, and should draw first-round consideration.

--Rob Rang and Derek Stephens

with less than ideal length and lateral range, martin's nfl future may lie inside at guard, where he never played in college. the move to guard is necessary because martin does not possess great height, arm length or foot speed. he chucks his way back (rather than sliding) for an effective if not aesthetically-pleasing form of pass protection.

COMPARIES TO

Selected to play in 2009 Under Armour All-American game in Orlando

named to Best in Midwest team by Detroit Free Press as the fifth-best player and second-best offensive lineman (behind future classmate Chris Watt) in the Midwest

ranked as 107th-best prospect in the SI/TAKKLE Top 200

rated 110th in ESPNU150 and 10th-best offensive tackle according to ESPN

named to Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State team as an offensive lineman in senior year

selected first-team all-state in 2008 by Indianapolis Star and Associated Press

also named to Indianapolis Star's 2008 Super Team

tallied 114 pancake blocks during senior campaign

first-team all-state selection as senior and junior

named to Bloomington Herald Times Junior All-State team as sophomore

selected to Bloomington Herald Times Top 33 team as junior and senior

selected as SuperPrep All-American and 20th-best offensive lineman

SuperPrep ranked him as 16th-best player in the Midwest

ranked as second-best prospect in the Rivals.com Indiana postseason rankings

member of Indiana Class 3A State Championship team as sophomore with 12-3 record

helped lead high school team to 14-1 record and second consecutive Indiana Class 3A state championship as junior in 2007

started both ways as sophomore along offensive and defensive lines

recorded 73 tackles including five tackles for loss as defensive tackle during sophomore season in 2006

father played football at Kentucky

played for head coach Vince Lorenzano at Bishop Chatard High School.

Born Nov. 20, 1990

full name is Zachary Edward Martin

son of Pam and Keith Martin.