He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft.

[citation needed] Zack and Nick each enrolled their freshman year at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, Indiana.

He was a member of the Indiana Class 3A State Championship team as a sophomore with a 12–3 record, and helped lead his high school team to a 14–1 record and second consecutive Indiana Class 3A state championship as a junior in 2007.

As a junior in 2011, he started all 13 games at left offensive tackle, and was part of a unit that only allowed 17 sacks during the season.

He helped pave the way for a running game that averaged 4.8 yards a carry, the best by a Notre Dame team since 1996.

[3] In his final season, he was named team captain for the second time, becoming only the 18th player in school history to earn such an honor.

[14] In 2015, Martin had a second All-Pro caliber season in as many years despite losing DeMarco Murray to the division rivals Philadelphia Eagles in free agency.

In 2019, Martin became one of five offensive linemen ever to secure a Pro Bowl invitation in each of their first six seasons, joining Lou Creekmur (1950–57), Jon Morris (1964–70), Joe Thomas (2007–16) and Richmond Webb (1990–96).

[21] In Week 11 of the 2020 season, Martin made his first career start at right tackle due to injuries across the offensive line.

[24] Martin started all 17 games for the Cowboys in 2022, while playing for 1,143 offensive snaps, receiving one holding penalty and not allowing a single sack.

For his efforts, in January 2023, Martin received a first-team All-Pro nod and a spot on the NFC roster in the Pro Bowl.

He also played college football at Notre Dame and was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.