The Miami football program has made a splash in the transfer portal in each of the last two offseasons. The 2020 selection of players from the portal has been more quality over quantity.
In 2019 the Miami football program added nine players through the transfer portal. Due to ineffectiveness and injury, only one of those players made a significant impact. In 2020 the Hurricanes have added three players through the portal. All three are expected to be critical players for Miami in 2020.
The 2019 transfer portal for the Miami football program was led by quarterback Tate Martell. The nation’s number two dual-threat QB in the Class of 2017 barely saw the field for the Hurricanes. Martell completed one pass for seven yards and ran the ball seven times for seven yards. Early in the season, Martell switched to wide receiver.
On an offense that was widely inconsistent the fact Martell barely made a blip shows that he was a complete bust. For whatever reason, he did not stick with WR and was unable to crack the rotation at QB until the Independence Bowl loss to Louisiana Tech in what felt like a desperate move by former offensive coordinator Dan Enos.
D’Eriq King throwing to freshman WR Keyshawn Smith and Tate Martell to freshman WR Dazalin Worsham @DeriqKing_ @TheTateMartell @_ksmith_5 @dazalin4 @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/0RrNHEUUyC
— The Miami Hurricane Sports (@TMHsports_) March 6, 2020
Martell was one of four players on offense that matriculated at Miami through the portal. Wide receiver K.J. Osborn from Buffalo, running back Asa Martin from Auburn and offensive tackle Tommy Kennedy from Butler joined Martell who transferred from Ohio State. Only Osborn made an impact.
As a graduate transfer, Osborn led Miami with 50 receptions, 547 receiving yards and five TDs. Martin never played with the Hurricanes. After going through spring practice with Miami in 2019, Martin announced in June he was entering his name into the transfer portal. He eventually signed with Memphis.