This is a great development for Nebraska Football.
All throughout spring ball, we have heard about the fact that quarterback Adrian Martinez needs to be a leader for Nebraska Football, and that he is accepting that role. As the second week of spring ball rolls on, it is becoming more and more clear that he is embracing that role of leader. This is very important for Nebraska Football as he is the catalyst for the offense. No matter how deep the running back position is, no matter how much potential the wide receiver unit has, Martinez is the one that makes everything go. It seems like he recognizes that judging by his comments earlier this week
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Expectations are very high for him in 2019. After a successful 2018 season, he needs to show that he can take the next step. If that happens, there could be some fun Saturdays in Lincoln. However, having that leadership role is more than just going out and executing. It is about having your teammates buy in to what you are trying to do. Not only is it about getting your teammates to believe in you, it’s about showing the coaches that you are following the gameplan. Trust is very important, and it seems like the coaching staff has that level of trust in Martinez.
Furthermore, Martinez has that trust in his teammates. This offense is a very young one, particularly at the wide receiver position. To be fair Martinez is not exactly a veteran himself, as he is only a sophomore. However, if Martinez can play confidently and smartly, the mistakes that could be made as a result of youth can be covered up easier. Right now, it’s all about building accountability as Martinez told the media on Tuesday.
"“When everybody kind of knows what they’re doing, if someone messes up, everyone kind of has that authority to be like, ‘Hey, man, you should have done this or that,'” Martinez said. “I think they’re not defensive (about criticism). They’re selfless. And they’re getting after it. Not having any egos about it.”"
This is great to hear. Too often in big-time college football, or in college football in general, you see egos that let their personal goals get in the way of the team. With so many talented players on this Nebraska Football roster, that could easily be the case. So far, it seems like everybody has kept their egos in check in kept everybody accountable. The fact that the Cornhuskers have seemed to have found a balance between accountability and responsibility is tremendous. The fact that Martinez seems to be doing that already is certainly a good thing. It is all part of the meaning culture that Nebraska Football is trying to create.
It will be interesting to see if Martinez can keep up this level of leadership throughout the course of the season. Accountability and discipline seem to be staples of the Nebraska Football program. Those are certainly good traits to instill in the team. That can only lead to a winning culture, and that is something Nebraska Football fans desperately want.