LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez announced Thursday that he will enter the transfer portal, another blow for the struggling Cornhuskers.
The three-time captain completed his best season in 2021, completing 61.8% of his throws for 2,863 yards with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for a career-best rating of 149.0. He played in 39 games during his four-year career, going 14-25 while winning just eight Big Ten games.
He didn’t play in last week’s season-ending loss to Iowa after having surgery on his right shoulder.
Martinez could play two more college seasons because the NCAA granted players an extra year of eligibility during last year’s shortened COVID-19 season.
“The University of Nebraska will always be a place I call home. It has been an honor and privilege to represent the N for four years,” Martinez wrote on his social media account. “I am excited for the next opportunity! I will always be a Nebraska Cornhusker at heart and a proud alum.”
He was the program’s first major addition following coach Scott Frost’s hiring. He had initially committed to Tennessee.
Martinez’s career was filled with close losses, big disappointments and injuries. But he also finished his career as Nebraska’s all-time leader with 10,792 total yards, 370 completions, 19 games with 300 yards passing and five 400-yard games and the single-season record-holder in total yards per game with 308.0 in 2021.
Nebraska finished the season 3-9 and just 1-8 in the Bi Ten. The Cornhuskers, who won’t go to a bowl for a fifth straight year, finished with losses in six straight games and eight of nine. Their nine losses were by a total of 56 points.
Frost’s struggle to turn around his alma mater through four years recently led to his contract being restructured and cutting his pay from $5 million to $4 million in 2022.
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