INDIANAPOLIS --- Notre Dame center Nick Martin is one of six players at this year's NFL Combine whose journey has come full circle back to the Circle City. Martin returns to Lucas Oil Stadium, the site of where he played on Indiana high school football's big stage with Bishop Chatard High School.
It's a surreal week for this prospect who also comes back to the home of his favorite football team.
"We moved here in 1999, right after they drafted Peyton (Manning)," said Martin with a smile. "So right off the bat we had a team to root for."
And fight over…
"We have three brothers. So we always, kind of, fought over (the Colts jerseys)," said Martin. "We had a Peyton Manning, a Dallas Clark, Bob Sanders, and then I'm sure we had an Edgerrin James in there."
Martin said he usually fought to get his hands on the Dallas Clark jersey. Now his family may be fighting over his jersey in a few short months.
"It's a good thing," said Martin about having so many friends and family near by at the Combine. "I haven't seen any. I'm staying away until the end of the Combine. I'm locked in, and they know that. They know my personality, but I'll be definitely excited to see them afterwards."
Martin was a first-team Indiana all-state pick by the Associated Press in Class 3A at Bishop Chatard.
Martin has also been tabbed as one of the top-15 senior prospects in this year's NFL Draft by NFL.com, with his ability to move between guard and center with ease. He started at left guard 10 games and three games at center in 2014. Martin played center most of 2013 and all of 2015 as well.
"I think the first thing is versatility," said Martin when asked at the Combine what his top attribute is. "I've played both center and guard in college. I think being able to play all three of
those interior positions is really big."
As for his prospects, it's about Nick showing he's healthy, because the pedigree is there with his older brother Zack playing very well in his first two seasons with the Cowboys after being selected in the first round in 2014.
"He was much more athletic before his knee injury. He's had to fight through some physical limitations and I know that he's been frustrated because of that," one NFC North scout told NFL.com. "He struggled in 2014 and I thought he still looked a little beat up this year. If he can get healthy, he'll start in our league."
Could Martin again continue his football life within the state of Indiana? His family likely has its fingers crossed and probably a lot of Colts fans too.
