NFL draft prospects Zack Martin and Louis Nix will return to Notre Dame next year.
Coach Brian Kelly announced Monday that the two would forgo a shot at the 2013 draft. The top-ranked Fighting Irish are preparing for their BCS championship matchup with Alabama.
Martin, a redshirt junior offensive tackle, and Nix, a redshirt sophomore nose tackle, have been mainstays for Notre Dame the past two seasons.
Martin, a captain, has started 38 consecutive games at left tackle.
Nix has played in every game and started 21 the past two seasons. This season, Nix has 45 tackles, including 5.5 for loss and two sacks, and a forced fumble for the nation’s top-ranked scoring defense.
Redshirt junior running back Cierre Wood has yet to decide whether to test the NFL draft waters, Kelly said.
Kelly added that reserve freshman tackle Ronnie Stanley will miss the Jan. 7 BCS title game after elbow surgery.