Championship-caliber football teams are built in the trenches, and few offensive linemen in Notre Dame history have been as dominant or as dependable as Zack Martin.
A four-year starter at left tackle, Martin became the gold standard for consistency during his career in South Bend. He started a school-record 52 consecutive games, was a two-time team captain, and earned Notre Dame's Offensive Lineman of the Year honor four straight seasons—a testament to the respect he commanded from coaches and teammates alike.
Martin's leadership was instrumental during the Fighting Irish's run to the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, anchoring an offensive line that helped Notre Dame return to the national spotlight. Throughout his career, he routinely shut down some of the nation's premier pass rushers with exceptional technique, athleticism, and football IQ. During his senior season, he allowed no sacks against a schedule loaded with elite defensive talent.
His stellar career culminated in Consensus First-Team All-American honors in 2013, and he became one of the most decorated offensive linemen of his era. A few months later, the Dallas Cowboys selected him with the 16th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, where he would go on to become one of the NFL's premier offensive linemen.
Why He's #7Some players fill the stat sheet.
Offensive linemen rarely get that opportunity.
Instead, Zack Martin built his legacy by doing the little things better than almost anyone who has ever worn the Blue and Gold. His toughness, durability, leadership, and elite play made him the cornerstone of Notre Dame's offensive line for four seasons. He may not have scored touchdowns or made highlight-reel catches, but every successful Irish offense during his career started with No. 70 leading the way.
For those reasons, Zack Martin checks in at No. 7 on We Are ND Nation's Top 9 Notre Dame Players Since 2000.

If there was ever a player who could turn an ordinary play into a highlight-reel touchdown, it was Golden Tate.
One of the most electrifying athletes to wear the Blue and Gold, Tate combined elite speed, incredible balance, and fearless playmaking ability to become one of the greatest wide receivers in Notre Dame history. Every time he touched the football, fans expected something special.
His unforgettable 2009 season remains one of the best ever by an Irish receiver. Tate hauled in 93 receptions for 1,496 yards and 15 touchdowns, setting Notre Dame single-season records for catches and receiving yards while tying the school record for touchdown receptions. He also added two rushing touchdowns and a punt-return score, making him one of the nation's most dangerous all-around offensive weapons.
Those accomplishments earned Tate the 2009 Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top wide receiver, making him the first Notre Dame player ever to win the award. He was also a Consensus First-Team All-American, capping off one of the finest individual seasons in school history.
By the time he left South Bend, Tate had rewritten much of the Notre Dame record book, finishing with 157 receptions, 2,707 receiving yards, and 26 touchdown catches. He departed as the school's career leader in receiving yards while ranking among the program's all-time leaders in receptions and touchdown catches.
Why He's #8: Golden Tate wasn't just a great receiver—he was one of the most explosive playmakers Notre Dame has seen since 2000. Whether it was making impossible catches, breaking tackles, or taking a short pass the distance, Tate had a knack for changing games in an instant. His 2009 campaign remains one of the gold standards for wide receiver play in Notre Dame football history.

We Are ND Nation Top 9 Notre Dame Players of the 2000s#9 – WR Jeff SamardzijaWhen Notre Dame fans think about the Brady Quinn era, one name immediately comes to mind: Jeff "The Shark" Samardzija.
Before becoming a Major League Baseball All-Star, Samardzija established himself as one of the greatest wide receivers in Fighting Irish history. His combination of size, reliable hands, and ability to make contested catches made him Quinn's favorite target and one of the most dangerous receivers in college football.
Samardzija enjoyed a breakout season in 2005, hauling in 77 receptions for 1,249 yards and 15 touchdowns, setting Notre Dame single-season records for receiving yards and touchdown catches. His remarkable season earned him Consensus All-American honors and made him a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, presented annually to the nation's top receiver.
He followed that performance with another outstanding senior campaign in 2006, recording 78 catches for 1,017 yards and 12 touchdowns, becoming the first Notre Dame player to post multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons. By the end of his career, he left South Bend as the school's all-time leader in receptions (179), receiving yards (2,593), and touchdown receptions (27).
While he ultimately chose a successful Major League Baseball career over the NFL, Samardzija's impact on Notre Dame football remains undeniable. His spectacular catches, clutch performances, and chemistry with Brady Quinn helped restore excitement to the Irish offense during the mid-2000s and cemented his place among the program's all-time great receivers.
Why He's #9: Jeff Samardzija wasn't just an elite playmaker—he redefined what was possible for a Notre Dame wide receiver in the modern era, setting records that stood until another generation of Irish stars came along. For many fans of the 2000s, "The Shark" remains one of the most exciting players ever to wear the blue and gold.