Tate Martell misses second 2019 Miami football game

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Tate Martell who was a high profile transfer last January missed his second Miami football game this season when he did not appear for the Hurricanes game against Florida International on Saturday night.

When he transferred in January to join the Miami football program many fans and media members expected redshirt sophomore Tate Martell to practically be guaranteed the starting QB job for the Hurricanes. Redshirt freshman Jarren Williams beat out Martell and redshirt sophomore N’Kosi Perry as the starter.

A report from David Lake of Inside the U shortly before the Miami football team kicked off against Florida International at Marlins Park on Saturday night observed that Martell was not in attendance for the Hurricanes. Lake reported that Martell did not participate in pre-game warmups or run out with his teammates.

Martell did not make the trip to Pittsburgh last month when the Hurricanes played the Panthers for what was reported as “medical leave of absence.”  The former high school teammate of Miami sophomore tight end Brevin Jordan and redshirt sophomore safety Bubba Bolden returned to practice for Florida State that week.

After Williams was named the first-team QB in August, Martell requested a position switch to wide receiver. An adept runner at QB and exceptional athlete with a  questionable throwing arm Martell’s move to WR seemed like a good one. He returned to QB earlier this month. Martell could be getting tired of empty promises.

Miami offense coordinator Dan Enos told the media last week that he was developing a package for Martell. Enos also discussed what the issues have been with Martell this season.

"“We had a package that was ready for him, but we didn’t get to it…It wasn’t anything that he did or didn’t do. He has had some issues here and there that he has been going through and we are here to support him. Tate is a guy that has settled into where he is going to be.He has had a little bit of a roller coaster situation about positions and things like that. He has been a guy that has practiced really hard and been diligent about his preparation the last couple weeks.”"

Martell has not thrown a pass for Miami and has two carries for two yards this season, one each against Florida and Bethune-Cookman. With absences in two of the last four Miami football games, the question will be what happens with Martell’s future going forward? At this point, it seems he could be ready to transfer again.

There is going to be a lot of questioning in the post-game why Martell was missing. It is far too soon at this point to make any conclusions. Manny Diaz will be asked about Martell’s absence in the postgame and during his weekly press conference on Monday. At this point, it is best to just let it play out.