Tate Martell makes more sense for Miami Football than Jalen Hurts

Manny Diaz has stated since he was hired to replace Mark Richt as the Head Coach for the Miami football program that upgrading the quarterback play is an extreme priority. Diaz stated that they have to examine all possible solutions to make that happen.

Quarterbacks Tate Martell of Ohio State, a Rising Redshirt Sophomore and Alabama’s Jalen Hurts, a Rising Senior have both entered their names into the NCAA Transfer Portal. The Miami football program signing either one would be a huge coup.

Both Martell and Hurts have connections in the Miami football program. Miami’s newly hired Offensive Coordinator Dan Enos was Alabama’s Quarterbacks Coach in 2018. Martell played high school football at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas with Miami Rising Sophomores, tight end Brevin Jordan and safety Bubba Bolden.

Jordan was second on Miami in receptions and receiving touchdowns and third in receiving yards in 2018. Bolden announced he will transfer to Miami last week. He will be eligible immediately after sitting out last season at USC because of an alleged student conduct violation.

Hurts biggest advantage over Martell is his experience. It has been well documented that the former Alabama signal caller is 26-2 as a starter. Hurts did not start a game in 2018. He served as the backup to Heisman Trophy runner-up Tua Tagovailoa this past season.

Hurts has posted solid if unspectacular numbers at Alabama. He has completed 62.9 percent of his passes for 5,626 yards, 48 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 148.8 passer rating. Under Enos, Hurts passer rating rose to 196.7 this season. Admittedly in far fewer attempts.

Hurts is very accurate but was just 2-18 on passes of 20 yards per more on the deep ball as the Crimson Tide’s starter throughout 2017. He completed 60.4 percent of his passes in Alabama’s National Championship season. Hurts was relieved for Tagavailoa in the National Championship game to provide better downfield passing.

Martell was Heisman Trophy finalist Dwayne Haskins primary backup at Ohio State this season. After redshirting as a True Freshman in 2017, Martell got limited playing time behind Haskins this season. Martell completed 23 of 28 passes for 269 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions and a 174.6 passer rating.

Both Hurts and Martell are true dual-threat quarterbacks. In his three collegiate seasons, Hurts has run for 1,976 yards and 23 touchdowns. Martell ran for 128 yards on 22 carries with two touchdowns in 2018.

Martell is not as big as Hurts and his lack of arm strength was also a reason that Ohio State recently secured former Georgia quarterback Justin Fields. He is built more like a running back than a quarterback at 5-11, 210 pounds.

Smaller quarterbacks have had success in the NFL. Drew Brees is 6’0 and headed for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Baker Mayfield who won the Heisman Trophy in 2017 and had an outstanding rookie season in the NFL this year is 6’1. Hurts has better size at 6’2 218 pounds.

Martell was rated much higher than Hurts coming out of high school. Both were four-star prospects though. Martell was the nations 56th ranked player overall and the second-best dual-threat quarterback in the Class of 2017.

Hurts was the nation’s 192nd ranked prospect overall and fourth-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the Class of 2016. Hurts will have one year of eligibility remaining and Martell two or three depending on if he is eligible immediately. Martell redshirted as a  Freshman in 2017.

Martell will have more years remaining to play and was a higher ranked prospect coming out of high school. Hurts gives Miami more experience and a quarterback that is a proven leader and winner.

Winning can be fickle and with experience, Martell can hopefully lead Miami to success behind Manny Diaz’s great defense. If Martell has to sit out 2019, the Hurricanes could try for the longshot and add both.