Record-Holding Former Ohio State Quarterback Tate Martell Retires From Football to Pursue Business Ventures

By Kevin Harrish on January 18, 2022 at 5:10p

Tate Martell is calling it a career.

The former Ohio State, Miami and UNLV quarterback is officially retiring from football after five seasons with plans to focus on business ventures, according to Joe Arrigo of FranchiseSportsMedia.

If you're reading this, you surely know his story but it's worth repeating anyway.

Martell signed with Ohio State in 2017 as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the 2017 recruiting class. He was highly recruited and viewed as one of the most accomplished high school players in history, finishing his high school career with a perfect 43-0 record as a starter while playing one of the most rigorous national schedules in the country. His senior season, Martell accounted for 62 total touchdowns and just one interception.

After redshirting his freshman season in 2017, Martell played just one season as a reserve quarterback for the Buckeyes in 2018. He appeared in six games, going 23-for-26 through the air for 269 yards and a touchdown and adding 128 yards and two touchdowns on 22 rushing attempts. He holds the Ohio State record for highest completion percentage in a game completing 10-of-10 passes against Rutgers that season.

Shortly after the season, Martell entered the NCAA transfer portal following Georgia transfer quarterback Justin Fields' arrival at Ohio State. The move came despite Martell claiming that he would not transfer and that he had "no doubt" that he'd win the job over Fields.

Martell transferred to Miami where he spent two seasons. Martell appeared in three games over two seasons with the Hurricanes and threw just one pass for seven yards. He also had seven rushing attempts for a total of seven yards.

Following his stint at Miami, Martell transferred to UNLV ahead of the 2021 season where he appeared in two games, going 2-for-6 through the air for 27 yards and adding two total yards on the ground in five attempts.

Though Martell has not yet made clear what's next for him, according to Arrigo, his business venture is "about to blow up."

Despite his transfer from Ohio State and backlash from Buckeye fans, Martell apparently still considers himself a Buckeye fan as a video surfaced of Martell in the stands during this season's Ohio State vs. Michigan game rooting for the Buckeyes.

Source: @joearrigofsm