The ACC Coastal Division got a tougher early Wednesday morning, as former Ohio State quarterback Tate Martell announced that he’s transferring to Miami.
Martell, a 5-foot-11, 210-pound quarterback, will likely have to sit out the 2019 season due to NCAA transfer rules, but will have two seasons of eligibility remaining to play with the Hurricanes.
According to 247 Sports, Martell was a consensus four-star recruit and the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the country coming out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. He played in six games in 2018, passing for 269 yards on 23 of 28 (82.1 percent). He threw for one touchdown and no interceptions and sported a 174.6 passer rating.
Miami featured an elite defense under coordinator Manny Diaz in 2018, finishing fourth in total defense and 18th in scoring defense in the country. When head coach Mark Richt resigned, Miami brought back Diaz, who had taken a job as head coach a Temple, to take the reins for 2019.
The Hurricanes finished 2018 averaging 167.3 passing yards per game, which was 112th in the country. Only Pitt and Georgia Tech had more anemic passing attacks amongst ACC schools. Redshirt freshman N’Kosi Perry and senior Malik Rosier split time for Miami in 2018.
Martell is just one of a number of high-profile quarterbacks that have transferred or are expected to transfer this offseason. He’s leaving Ohio State because the Buckeyes landed Georgia transfer Justin Fields. Meanwhile, Miami remains in the running for deposed Alabama starter Jalen Hurts, who has one season of eligibility remaining, and could start for the Hurricanes in 2019 while Martell sits out.
Perry and Jarren Williams, who redshirted as a true freshman in 2018, would likely battle for the starter’s role in 2019 if Miami doesn’t land another transfer. Perry finished the season with 1,091 yards, a 114.9 passer rating, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions, but faded down the stretch.
He finished 6 of 24 for 52 yards against Pitt in Miami’s regular-season finale and Rosier started Miami’s Pinstripe Bowl loss to Wisconsin.
Elsewhere, Brandon Wimbush has graduated from Notre Dame and transferred to UCF, where he will be immediately eligible and will likely face Pitt at Heinz Field on Sept. 21. Kelly Bryant, who left Clemson mid-season in order to preserve his final year of eligibility, has transferred to Missouri.
