Ohio State Football: Tate Martell transferring was inevitable
Tate Martell leaving the Ohio State football program and transferring to Miami is not shocking. That’s just how it works in today’s game.
Tate Martell came to the Ohio State football team as the Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2016. He was the heir apparent to J.T. Barrett.
Unlike Barrett, Martell was cocky and outspoken. That’s okay. Quarterbacks with attitude thrive too.
An athletic, dual-threat quarterback, Martell is built to run the power, read-option offense that Urban Meyer likes to run. Barrett’s departure meant an open competition heading into spring ball last year between Martell, Joe Burrow and Dwayne Haskins.
Three years ago, Martell probably would have had a legitimate shot to win the job. Despite having receivers like Parris Campbell and Johnnie Dixon, the lack of a consistent vertical threat started to cost the Buckeyes over the last couple of seasons.
There was tremendous pressure to fix this part of the offense during the 2017 off-season. Insert Kevin Wilson and Ryan Day.
Haskins’ performance against Michigan in 2017, coupled with his big arm, made it easy for Day to make his decision. His offense is best suited with an accurate, strong quarterback.
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Haskins paid Day back ten-fold having the record-breaking season. Despite keeping his intentions quiet, Haskins early departure for the NFL was a foregone conclusion.
Then Justin Fields, the No. 1 ranked dual-threat quarterback in the 2018 class, announced his intentions to transfer from Georgia.
The writing was on the wall. Martell’s days were numbered. Fields is 6-foot-3, 225-pounds with tremendous upside that any coach would covet having.
Day’s history of developing quarterbacks sealed the deal and Martell was the odd man out.
I know Martell publicly stated that he welcomed the competition and he would win the job. Like Haskins leaving for the NFL, Martell transferring was obvious.
Part of Buckeye Nation wants to crucify him for not staying and competing. Stop it.
Adults leave jobs all the time for greener pastures. Quit trying to hold these players accountable for looking out for their own best interests even if it is counter to your fandom. It is his life, not ours.
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Martell gave two-years to the Ohio State football program. It did not work out for him. Wish him well.