Tate Martell more comfortable in shotgun, has to improve under center

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Tate Martell stellar play in Saturday’s spring game was credited to the Ohio State transfer operating exclusively in the shotgun. Offensive coordinator Dan Enos said that Martell needs to work on being more comfortable under center.

Tate Martell was much sharper in Saturday’s spring game than he was in the Miami Hurricanes second spring scrimmage the week prior. Martell completed only four passes in 11 attempts at Traz Powell Stadium. In Orlando on Saturday Martell was 6-10 for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

If Tate Martell is going to win the starting job he will have to get more comfortable under center. The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reported on Wednesday that Enos would be willing to let Martell operate primarily, but not necessarily exclusively, out of the shotgun. Martell is the most athletic of the Miami QBs.

Tate Martell’s athleticism could be essential for a Miami offensive line still trying to figure out who the five starters will be and where. Martell is a better runner than N’Kosi Perry or Jarren Williams.

Enos appears to be willing to tailor the offense to the QB who wins the job and not trying to force someone into a role. All three Miami QBs have less than four months to work on the flaws in their games.

Miami Head coach Manny Diaz said he wants the Hurricanes lineup settled a couple of weeks into training camp. That is essential at QB and on the offensive line. Continuity is critical under center and the protection up front. Miami did not have consistent play at QB and on the offensive line in 2018.

Enos spoke about Martell playing out of the shotgun, his strengths and weaknesses and what the work needs to be done to become the starter.

"“He does well in shotgun and under center,…He’s getting better under center, but his comfort level is obviously in the shotgun. So you have to work at things you’re not good at…Tate has operated in shotgun his entire career, so we’ve asked him to do some things to get out of his comfort zone, learn to be under center.At the end of the day that’ll benefit him. Certainly we know he can function in the shotgun. All of them have played well, but him in particular the last three practices, three to four have been his best ones.”"

In a three-part conversation, Enos told Jackson that he wants to narrow the QB competition from three to two at some point. Enos stated that the Hurricanes offense will be tailored to whoever is the first-team QB. The competition has a long way to go and none of the three has separated themselves.

"“Whoever wins the job we’re going to 100 percent gear it toward their skill set, do whatever they do the best…Our system is built that it’s very multiple and very diverse.Once your system is in… now you decide, he’s our quarterback, these are our running backs, these are our receivers, and you gear it toward what those people do well. But you can’t start gearing it towards the people until you figure out who those people are….I think good coaches adapt to their personnel… The big thing is your quarterback. What’s he good at? Is he better in the pocket? Is he better outside? Is he better in the gun? Is he better under [center]?Is he a better play-action passer? Is he a guy that can read the coverage and get through his progression? You need to gear your system toward your personnel.”"

Enos’ system is far more flexible than Mark Richt’s pro-style offense that frequently appeared to try and force the system on the players instead of adapting to the personnel on the roster. The Miami players have said throughout the spring that Enos’ system is more complex than Richt’s was.

Miami has to improve their offense and particularly their passing game in 2018. Martell gives Enos and the Hurricanes offense a more adept runner. Perry has the biggest arm and Williams is the most accurate. Whoever merits the job as the Hurricanes first-team QB will have the offense tailored around their strengths.