Athlon Sports Says Nebraska’s Adrian Martinez Is A Top-10 QB This Year
LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers warms up before the game against the Troy Trojans at Memorial Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
Nebraska enters the 2019 season with increased expectations in Year Two under Scott Frost. Quarterback Adrian Martinez is a big reason why.
Landing Martinez was viewed as a coup for Frost, who scooped the four-star signal caller up shortly after being hired in December 2017. After enrolling early and earning the starting job as a true freshman, Martinez showed plenty of promise last season.
Some pundits were clearly impressed with what they saw. Athlon Sports released its rankings of the 130 starting quarterbacks in college football earlier today.
Martinez checks in at No. 9, right behind Big Ten counterparts Justin Fields (Ohio State) and Shea Patterson (Michigan).
The continued development of Martinez is a big reason why coach Scott Frost’s team should take a big step forward in 2019. Martinez did not play as a high school senior due to injury but showed no rust in his freshman season. The California native connected on 64.6 percent of his passes for 2,617 yards and 17 touchdowns to just eight picks. Martinez finished second on the team with 629 rushing yards and chipped in eight scores on the ground. With a full offseason to develop under Frost, look for Martinez to contend for All-Big Ten honors this fall.
Slotting Martinez in the top 10 seems pretty bold, though he deserves to be ahead of Fields based off their current track records.
No matter where you put him nationally, there is no reason why Martinez shouldn't be one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten in 2019.
You can view Athlon's full rankings here.
