Quarterback Tate Martell will be eligible to play for the Miami Hurricanes after the NCAA approved a waiver for him on Tuesday.
Martell, a redshirt sophomore from Las Vegas, transferred to UM from Ohio State in January. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining. Without the waiver, Martell would have had to sit out the 2019 season under NCAA rules.
"We are pleased with this ruling and appreciate the NCAA recognizing that this waiver met the criteria under the membership established guidelines," UM Director of Athletics Blake James said in a statement. "We would like to thank the NCAA, as well as Ohio State University, for their assistance and support throughout the waiver process. We look forward to seeing Tate compete for the Hurricanes this season."
Martell completed 23 of 28 passes in six appearances as Dwayne Haskins' backup for the Buckeyes this past season. His transfer out of Ohio State came less than two weeks after former Georgia quarterback Justin Fields announced that he would be joining the Buckeyes.
Improving the production at quarterback is a top priority for Miami and new coach Manny Diaz this season. As a team, Miami passed for only 2,175 yards in 13 games this past season and ranked 115th out of 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in passing efficiency.
N'Kosi Perry, who split time with now-graduated Malik Rosier this past season, is expected back at Miami for 2019, as is redshirt freshman Jarren Williams. Martell would be competing with them for the starting job.
Martell was a five-star recruit out of Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas, where he went 43-0 as a starter. The move to Miami will reunite Martell with two of his Bishop Gorman teammates — Brevin Jordan is a starting tight end for the Hurricanes, and safety Bubba Bolden is transferring in from USC.
