On the heels of an incredible freshman season, Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez has all of the tools to make the jump from good to great in 2019. Not many 18-year-old kids can walk into a powerhouse school like Nebraska and flat out take over, but Martinez did just that. Will he suffer a sophomore slump next fall? That remains to be seen, however, all indications point towards that answer is “no.” The odds of winning the Big Ten have also increased.

Best in the west?

With several of the top quarterbacks leaving the Big Ten ranks, Martinez has the chance to grab the mantle of greatness and run with it.

ESPN indicates that Martinez finished sixth out of the 14 quarterbacks in the conference, which is incredible for a true freshman. I think he is also one of five players that need to be difference makers for Nebraska in 2019.

Two quarterbacks - Penn State’s Trace McSorley (2,285 yards, 16 touchdowns) and Northwestern’s Clayton Thorson (2,942 yards, 15 touchdowns) are graduating. It's possible that Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins (4,580 yards, 47 touchdowns) and Michigan’s Shea Patterson (2,364 yards, 21 touchdowns) enter the NFL draft. It means Martinez could be the sophomore sensation that leads him to be named as one of, if not the top quarterback in the Big Ten next season.

Numbers don’t lie

While the future sophomore standout deserves all the accolades he has been receiving, coach Scott Frost knows that building around him is key.

Recruiting season has gone well, so far, for the Huskers, in 2018, as they have added several three- and four-star high school prospects. Martinez is a rising star, but one man does not make a team victorious. Being able to run the ball will be key to the Huskers' success in 2019, and it could open up the offense for Martinez to make his magic.

Yes, the Huskers lost their most productive back in Devine Ozigbo, but they do return Maurice Washington and they are hoping for bright futures from incoming four-star running backs Dedrick Mills and Rahmir Johnson. In fact, you may say that, at least on paper, the Huskers backfield may be better in 2019 than it was last season.

If they are as good as advertised, and live up to the hype, the Huskers will be stacked in the backfield - and that is going to elevate Martinez's game that much more.

In 2018, Martinez threw for over 2,600 yards, had 17 touchdowns, and finished the year with a passer rating of 139.5. With one year under his belt, and expanding on his experience, the hype around Martinez and the Huskers as a team is already in full gear, eight months before the new season arrives!
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