During Scott Frost's time leading the Nebraska football program, success was a four-letter word. Despite that, there were plenty of very talented players who were misused or poorly coached who went on to have very successful careers once they left the Huskers. Adrian Martinez sticks out as the creme of that particular crop, and earlier this week, he explained to former NU legend Adam Carriker just why he decided to take his talents to Kansas State.
Martinez sat down for the Carriker Chronicles and discussed several topics. Still, it was his realization that he needed to go elsewhere in order ot make it to the NFL that stands out. It's just the latest indictment of Scott Frost and another sign of what Matt Rhule and his regime are still digging their way out of.
"For me, one of my ultimate goals was reaching the NFL, and I felt like I just needed a new scenery," the four-year starter for Nebraska told Carriker. "I needed a new experience, a new way to grow, and to take that leap into a new situation. I needed to... find a different place to do that. I just put my name into the portal, betting on myself and knowing that there would at least be one situation that I could go thrive in."
Adrian Martinez on why he transferred from Nebraska to Kansas State. -Chronicles Cut pic.twitter.com/PORO4GdMBC
— Adam Carriker (@AdamCarriker94) March 7, 2026
Adrian Martinez's honest admission is the latest and most personal indictment of Nebraska football under Scott Frost
Martinez eventually picked Kansas State, and he did thrive in his one season with the Wildcats. However, his stats weren't actually better than the ones he put up at Nebraska. During his one season in The Little Apple, he completed 64.1% of his passes for 1,261 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 1 INT. He also ran for 627 yards and another 10 TDs.
The former quarterback's best season by far was his true freshman year at Nebraska. That season, he completed 64.6% of his passes for 2,617 yards, 17 TDs, and just 8 INTs. He also ran for a career-high 629 yards and another 8 TDs. It seems the real reason he felt the need to get away from Frost's regime is that he plateaued in his development.
After his one season with Kansas State, Martinez did make it to the NFL. He signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in May of 2023. After being waived by the Lions that August, he took his talents to the UFL and then returned to the NFL when he signed with the New York Jets in July of 2024. Martinez spent the year on the team's practice squad. After he was waived by the Jets in August of 2025, he eventually landed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he appeared in his first career game, posting one carry.
It's been a fight for Adrian Martinez to make and stay in the NFL, but his path to Nebraska and away from it has seemingly worked out for him so far.