Ex-Rancho Bernardo Pop Warner player, 14, commits to play at Washington in 2017
By Michael Bower
Tate Martell is still five years away from starting college, but that didn’t stop the 14-year-old quarterback from orally committing to play football for the University of Washington in 2017.
Martell, who played for the Rancho Bernardo Pop Warner Midgets squad in 2011, reportedly received a scholarship offer from the Division I Huskies three weeks ago. The soon-to-be, home-schooled eighth-grader gave his verbal commitment to the college on Wednesday. It was first reported by Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times.
“I think it is a good opportunity for me,” Martell said. “It is a good school and it gave me a lot more confidence when I received the offer … I am going to keep working hard and I don’t take it as pressure. I take it as motivation for me to have to play better and step my game up another notch.”
“He is unbelievably talented,” said Rancho Bernardo Pop Warner President Al Stein, who coached Martell on the Midgets. “Committing to a college at 14 years old, why not? They see something … and he is a great football player with a lot of potential. He just has to keep nurturing it and working hard.”
Martell, who attended Innovations Academy Charter School last year and lives in Poway, will not be able to sign a national letter of intent until February of 2017. No binding commitment can happen before then.
The 5-foot, 10-inch, 160-pound signal-caller has been working with quarterback guru Steve Clarkson, who is noted for coaching current USC QB Matt Barkley. Martell said he is unsure of his plans for high school.
“That will fall into place,” said Tate’s father Al Martell. “A decision for that doesn’t need to be made immediately.”
Tate is no longer playing with RB Pop Warner. He played for the Mira Mesa Chargers in the Throwback Football League in the spring and will play with Mira Mesa in the American Youth Football League in the fall.
Click here to see YouTube highlights of Martell.
Related posts:
- Pop Warner: Safety a top priority for local Pop Warner programs
- All-Stars Softball: Poway 14U All-Stars shine in Rancho Bernardo tournament
Short URL: http://www.pomeradonews.com/?p=27181
Posted by Michael Bower
on Jul 25 2012. Filed under Community, Sports.
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