Tate Martell is Ohio State's future, but he can still help right now

COLUMBUS – Forgive the ear-to-ear smile Tate Martell wore at the postgame podium if it was mistaken for anything other than sincerity.

For all the confidence often interpreted as cockiness, the grin was an honest expression for the oft-misunderstood redshirt freshman, a player that has piqued the interest at Ohio State since the former Gatorade National Player of the Year and three-time high school national champion from Las Vegas — announced his commitment June of 2016.

He had waited for moments like he provided in the 52-3 win over Rutgers on Saturday quietly and confidently, ready to make sure everyone knew he wasn’t going to just be a gadget in Ohio State’s bag of tricks. He’s a quarterback, period, and he wants people to know that.

“I’ve been waiting for quite some time now ever since, I think, really the end of my senior year, after redshirting last year,” Martell said Saturday. “It was just fun getting out there.”

Dwayne Haskins is the Buckeyes starter, undeniably. He’s a first-round NFL Draft pick waiting to happen, and there’s no quarterback controversy in Columbus. But Ohio State has made it a point in each of its fist two games to put Martell on the field with the first-team offense, because he may be a bigger part of the program’s future than Haskins.

Yes, it’s early. But it is already looking likely that Haskins bolts for the NFL next year as a professional prototype, fluid and effortless, firing the ball anywhere he wants with ease.

If what we’ve seen through two weeks isn’t just smoke and mirrors, then Martell needs to be ready to be the guy in Columbus come January. Martell avoided a couple of “gotcha” questions like he avoided Scarlet Knight defenders on Saturday, including one about Haskins’ NFL future, but his grin didn’t do a great job of hiding his feelings.

He believes in himself. He also believes he could be the full-time starter at Ohio State right now, but has bought into the program’s plans for his future. And that future could include three more seasons at the helm in Columbus after the final whistle blows on 2018.

“[Offensive coordinator Ryan] Day is going to put me in the best situation when I go out there,” Martell said. “And whenever that is, that’s really up to him. I feel they know how to use me and whatever they do is what they do.

“I just want to go out there and just play. That’s just how I go out there. I’ve improved a ton as a passer. And I want to be able to go out there and show that, and I just went out there and made plays with my legs when I had to. And obviously Dwayne is our starter. That’s how it is. And I’ll be there if something goes wrong. Whatever, whatever goes on with the coaches, whatever they want to do.”

Nothing went wrong on Saturday for Ohio State, Dwayne Haskins or Martell. There Martell was, completing 10-10 passes for 121 yards and a long touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin, his first Buckeyes touchdown. The book on Martell is that passing isn’t his strength, which is why he’s so quick about pointing out his improvements in that part of his game.

Martell was at his best when doubted in high school, particularly when it comes to being undersized. He’s also resilient when knocked down, like Rutgers did to him on Saturday, because he’s a next-level competitor trying to develop next-level talent. That’s why getting him on the field now is so important for his future and for Ohio State’s.

That’s why Ryan Day has given him the chance to prove himself in live situations, because that’s where a player like Martell is best.

“I thought you got a chance to see what Tate can do today, which is great,” Day said. “He’s 10 for 10, throwing the ball. And ran for I think 90-something yards. And he can beat you with his feet and beat you with his arm. And that’s what makes him a special player.

“He’s getting better as well. And so if we can just keep building, then we’re going to have something really good.”

College football is unique because coaches must win today while preparing for next year and the years to come. In Columbus, that means understanding how special Dwayne Haskins is now, while making sure Tate Martell gets chances to lead the Buckeyes into the future.