During an appearance on the Joe Rose Show on Monday Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz said that quarterback Tate Martell is “not wanting to come in and sort of rub everybody the wrong way” in an effort to earn the trust of his teammates.’
Manny Diaz’s response came after Joe Rose’s co-host Zach Krantz asked “asked if Martell is confident and cocky” according to the Miami Herald’s Susan Miller Degnan. Tate Martell joined the Miami Hurricanes in January after transferring from Ohio State. The 5’11 “little general” learned on March 19 he would be eligible in 2019.
His demeanor is exactly what the Miami Hurricanes offense needs for 2019. Martell struggled some throwing the football during the first week of spring practice. Miller Degnan stated that some of that could have been because of nerves.
Martell will fit the new culture that Diaz is trying to build. His predecessor Mark Richt was more introspective and laid back. Diaz is brasher and more outwardly confident. Martell is the type of player that Diaz wants to infuse as part of “The New Miami.”
Miami Tight end Brevin Jordan played with Martell in high school and helped to recruit him to the U. Their connection should have eased Martell’s transition with the Hurricanes. Diaz elaborated further in response to Krantz’s question about Martell being confident and cocky.
"“You can definitely tell he’s got some of that demeanor like you’re saying (confident and cocky)…But I think what Tate has done a nice job of is not wanting to come in and sort of rub everybody the wrong way. He’s coming in right now and just trying to be a good teammate.What he’s trying to do is show the team that he’s a hard worker in the offseason program, show the team that he’s a do-right guy off the field, because ultimately the team will respect those things first.And the same thing with his toughness… It’s always a little awkward with all these kids, not just Tate, how they enter the locker room and get absorbed by our guys and our culture and I think he’s walked that line nicely.”"
Transferring can be an awkward thing for young men just coming into themselves. Martell wasn’t alone as a transfer. Six other players joined the Hurricanes from the transfer portal this offseason.
Martell and K.J. Osborn who is a graduate transfer from Buffalo were seen working together after practice last week. That can only create trust with their new teammates. Offensive tackle Tommy Kennedy and running back Asa Martin are the other offensive players new to the Miami roster. Martin will sit out in 2019.
Martell is in a battle with rising redshirt Sophomore N’Kosi Perry and rising redshirt freshman Jarren Williams to become the Hurricanes starting QB this fall. Perry was unimpressive in six starts in 2018. Williams appeared in only one game and will have all four years of eligibility commencing in 2019.
Williams, Perry and Martell each bring their own set of strengths and weaknesses as signal callers. Martell’s toughness and experience in the spread fit in new offensive coordinator Dan Enos’ offense favor him, Williams’ accuracy and Perry’s arm strength and speed are in their favor. The battle will last into August training camp.