VOD Not Available
This video is not available.
Tate Martell Has ‘No Issue Competing’ For Position On Ohio State Depth Chart
Tate Martell has no issue competing for his position on the Ohio State depth chart. His demeanor is a constant for the talented incoming Buckeye freshman.
February 6, 2017
Tate Martell has no issue competing for his position on the Ohio State depth chart. His demeanor is a constant for the talented incoming Buckeye freshman.
If Tate Martell is as consistent on the field as he has remained away from it, then Ohio State’s future under center will surely shine bright. Despite being only 19 years old, the 2017 stud quarterback recruit is remarkably polished from a media standpoint. When asked on National Signing Day (NSD) about sitting behind incumbent J.T. Barrett and waiting his turn, Martell offered a declarative statement that he’s unafraid of competition.
“I have no issue competing with whoever,” Martell said. “To make it in the NFL, you have to compete against the best anyway and this is not where I want to stop. I want to play in the NFL.
“This isn’t going to be the last time I have to compete against the best out there.”
Such confidence should breathe a sense of relief into all Ohio State fans (if there was even any unease to begin with). Not only does Martell have eyes on a professional future, he fully recognizes the challenges that come with reaching the NFL. More importantly, he appears to embrace the path to greatness.
And while the statement surely plays well on NSD for a braggadocios fan base, that wasn’t a flippant comment from the dual-threat quarterback. When talking with Campus Insiders in December — well before Barrett had decided to return for his senior year — Martell discussed what it takes to win over the locker room, as well as eagerness to compete for one of college football’s premier programs.
“You gotta go in there and win the respect of the locker room,” Martell told Campus Insiders. “Earn your respect and learn the offense. If you do all of that, your team will have confidence.
“I’m still going to go in there and compete and do everything I can. Thats the kind of player I am: I don’t want to waste my time. I want to play and compete.”
A talent on the field who says all of the right things away from the field. Enough confidence in himself to openly discuss NFL aspirations, with plenty of wherewithal to know what it takes to reach the next level. Tate Martell is already crafting himself as a franchise quarterback, even if he does have to wait a year.
