I'm not sure I understand the shots against his NFL chances, or need to switch positions, etc....
Tate would've put exceptional numbers up at OSU, and likely would've been drafted. He has plus arm-strength (not as strong as Haskins, but certainly much better than JT Barrett and Joe Burrow who had/are having successful college years). He has plus mobility, although maybe not elite, just based on his size/frame. I'd categorize Kyler Murray as elite...until I see Martell in a similar setting, I wouldn't categorize him as elite in mobility, but it's not out of the question either.
The knock on him is his size at 5'10". Yeah, it's kinda short. But the Heisman trophy winner, and potentially first pick in the NFL draft also plays QB and is listed at 5'10". Murray has more arm talent (mostly more accuracy) and is comparatively seen as a higher character guy than Tate, who essentially has Baker Mayfield's attitude without the success at the college level.
The day Fields announced his transfer to OSU, I was met with skepticism when I said Fields was our new starting QB and Martell would not be around much longer. That the writing was on the wall. I have no doubt this team could've been exceptional offensively with Martell leading the offense, but there is a reason Day preferred the make-up of Fields to Martell. Some is speculation, some is obvious.....would you rather have the 6'3" 230lb QB who runs a 4.51, or a 5'10" 200lb QB who runs a 4.51? Would you rather have the quiet leader, or the QB who is extremely loose (too loose) in interviews and on social media? Would you rather revert back to a heavy zone read offense to accommodate Tate, or build on Dwayne's success last year and make minimal tweaks to the offense to make it fit Field's strengths?
All that to say though.....Tate still has a shot at being a really good college QB, and potentially getting to the NFL. He was a 5* by some services and the Gatorade player of the year his senior season. He has a lot of ability and skill. I think, hindsight being 20/20, he'd probably of handled things a bit differently several weeks ago, but he's young, and admittedly brash. Nobody is going to remember in 2 years if he's putting up good numbers and having success.
I wish Tate nothing but the best. I do think he mishandled the process (just no need to transfer now without the degree and then be forced to sit a year). If he was going somewhere to learn for a year, before being hand-tailored to take the position, it'd make more sense to me. While I think there's a strong likelihood the job is his at Miami in 2021, who's to say N'Kosi Perry doesn't come on strong as a sophomore or that Jarren Williams (who was a prized recruit) makes big strides and takes the job. I understand the connection to Miami through his former teammates at Bishop Gorman, but there were some really tailor-made opportunities to jump on, that I think he missed. Especially since he's already sitting out a year. Now he's in a weird dilemma where, does he root for Miami to be good next year, or bad? Does he want their QB to have success, or does he want an easy opportunity in 2021 to take the reigns. It's awkward.
It's been discussed, but if he was that adamant to transfer, prior to getting his degree, he'd have been better off transferring to a school with a senior QB that would leave the psotion Wide Open in 2021 for him to take, or stick with OSU until he graduated, in the event something happens to Fields. Fields will get his transfer waiver, but you never know.....a million things could happen that could prevent him from starting next year, which would've allowed Tate the opportunity to play at OSU, which is what he wanted. But again, if he felt that burned and lied to, and just had to leave, I'm ot sure why he'd put himself in the middle of a QB competition come 2021 on the heels of N'Kosi Perry's sophomore season, or Jarren Williams if he gets the job.
There are so many programs with senior QB's and huge gaps behind them for 2021. I'm just puzzled at Miami when he could've been groomed for the starting job without any of the drama.
