With the going about to get tough in Columbus, Tate Martell is getting going to South Beach.
Very early Wednesday morning, Martell took to Twitter to announce that he has decided to transfer to Miami. The move comes roughly six days after reports first surfaced that the quarterback’s name had been entered into the NCAA transfer database.
right back like we never left...
— Tate Martell (@TheTateMartell) January 16, 2019
I’M A HURRICANE! 🙌🏼🌴 pic.twitter.com/6Dh0gu4fxD
Martell’s move also comes not long after a high-profile transfer joined the Buckeyes’ quarterback room, a development that, at least publicly, didn’t concern Martell.
In the midst of all of the Justin Fields-to-Ohio State speculation, Martell, the presumptive heir to Dwayne Haskins‘ quarterback throne in Columbus, scoffed at speculation that he would transfer if Fields joined the Buckeyes.
Jan. 5, it was confirmed that Fields had transferred from Georgia to OSU. Five days later, Martell has kicked off the process of high-tailing it out of Columbus to avoid what would’ve been a high-profile competition for the starting job, provided Fields is granted immediate eligibility as expected.
Martell was a four-star member of OSU’s 2017 recruiting class, rated as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the country. After redshirting as a true freshman, Martell threw for 269 yards and a touchdown on 23-of-28 passing this past season while also running for another 128 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.
Because of NCAA transfer rules, it’s expected that Martell will have to sit out the 2019 season. He would then have two years of eligibility remaining beginning with the 2020 season.