Nebraska starts QB Adrian Martinez enters transfer portal, ends career ups and downs as Husker

Nebraska midfielder Adrian Martinez announced Thursday that he will be leaving Nebraska and entering the transfer window. As a starter for the better part of the past four years, Martinez has been a compelling figure in Cornhuskers football in the Scott Frost era.

“The University of Nebraska will always be a place I can call home” I wrote. “It’s been an honor and privilege to represent N. for four years. I want to thank the coach [Scott] Frost, [quarterbacks coach Mario] Verduzco and the rest of the staff gave me a great opportunity to compete for such a great University. Thank you to my teammates and lifelong friends for making my time here so special. Thank you to the people of Nebraska for their continued support throughout my journey. “

Martinez threw 8,495 yards, 45 touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 2,288 dashes and 35 touchdowns during his four years at Lincoln. He’s a quarterback that starts like a true freshman and, after 2,617 yards of passing and 629 yards of dash, enters the 2019 season in the top 10 of the pre-season Heisman Trophy odds. He was benched after underperforming later that season, but has started the majority of Nebraska games over the past two years.

A shoulder injury ended Martinez’s regular season ahead of the game against Iowa, and freshman Logan Smothers performed well in the first game even though Iowa came back with a 28-21 victory.

Martinez arrived in Nebraska as Frost’s high-ranking in his first recruiting class. The former four-star prospect was given an overall rating of 139 in the 2018 Rank, and signal caller Frost took aim shortly after he took over the program from Mike Riley.

The news that Martinez will transfer is interesting considering the timing of the decision. Athletic director Trev Alberts made the decision to keep Frost this season despite three winning seasons in each of the last two years and an overall record of 15-29. Frost came to his alma mater from UCF, where he marked the season 12-0 in 2017 under defender McKenzie Milton. Martinez and Milton were similar in that they were touted as stable and dynamic passers in the running game, but Martinez failed to progress from success as freshmen.

Martinez will be a “super senior” with one qualifying year remaining in the 2022 season.