Nebraska football: Adrian Martinez named starting quarterback

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 24: Fans of the Nebraska Cornhuskers sit behind a sign in support of coaching prospect Scott Frost (not shown) during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 24: Fans of the Nebraska Cornhuskers sit behind a sign in support of coaching prospect Scott Frost (not shown) during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)

After much fanfare and guessing about who would be the starting quarterback for the Nebraska football team, Adrian Martinez was named the starter through the depth chart release.

Adrian Martinez just had the weight of Husker Nation put on his shoulders. The true freshman quarterback was named the starter for Nebraska football‘s game against Akron.

After weeks of wondering and waiting and expecting a big announcement, it turns out that the starter was named in the most low key way possible. Head coach Scott Frost simply released the depth chart.

While there are some positions that have an “or” following a player’s name, Adrian Martinez stands alone on the top. Is the naming a surprise?

Yes and no. Martinez showed everything he brings to the table during the spring game. He’s got a great arm. He’s got great touch. And he can run, run, run.

At the same time, the Cornhuskers are going to be making history on Saturday. Martinez is the first true freshman to start a Nebraska football season opener.

Not in recent times. Ever.

The Huskers have set all kinds of school records over the last few years. Most of those records are on the negative side of the ledger.

Martinez has a chance to be one of the very big positives. The fact of the matter is that it wasn’t a very big leap to name Martinez.

Even if Tristan Gebbia had been named the starter, we’d be talking about a redshirt freshman getting the job. While that’s happened before, it hasn’t happened all that often.

The big question now. The question that should be on everyone’s mind is just how close was this battle?

If this was really something that was neck and neck, how long a leash does Adrian Martinez have. Is he destined to be the first true freshman to start every game for the Nebraska football team in a season?