Tate Martell has made a commitment to his fourth college, all without having even started a game.
Martell announced on Twitter Tuesday that he is transferring to Miami.
right back like we never left…
I’M A HURRICANE! pic.twitter.com/6Dh0gu4fxD
— TATE MARTELL (@TheTateMartell) January 16, 2019
Martell is a former 5-star recruit who committed to Washington, then Texas A&M, and then finally ended up at Ohio State. He redshirted his first year, then served as Dwayne Haskins’ backup this season, coming in for packages here and there as a running quarterback. Just when it looked like his patience at Ohio State would pay off, Justin Fields transferred in, leading Martell to leave.
Unless he graduates this year (which is a possibility), Martell would have to sit out a year before being able to play at Miami. He would then have two years of eligibility remaining.
Securing Martell is a major move from new head coach Manny Diaz, who also convinced wide receiver Jeff Thomas to return to the program rather than head to Illinois. The addition of Martell might also not preclude them from getting Jalen Hurts as a transfer; Hurts only has one year of eligibility left and would be able to play immediately in 2019 as a graduate transfer. Much of the situation depends on whether Martell graduates in May.
