5-Star QB Tate Martell Talks Top Contenders, Hopes for Oregon Offer

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — Nearly four years after Tate Martell received his first collegiate scholarship offer, the coveted quarterback arrived at Elite 11 finals Friday still searching for the right fit.

His middle school commitment to Washington didn't last through sophomore year, while his eight-month pact with Texas A&M ended last month. Now approaching his senior season at Las Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman High School, Martell has found some clarity in a lengthy recruitment.

"I think I've got it all figured out now," he told Bleacher Report hours before the first Elite 11 practice session. "I don't know exactly where I'll be, but I know exactly what I want."

He revealed a top-six list Friday morning, eliminating Miami from the group of favorites he shared just three days ago:

"

Narrowing it down... TOP 6!
•COLORADO
•UCLA
•USC
•OHIO STATE
•CAL
•WEST VIRGINIA pic.twitter.com/kxGbx4ZxLw

— Tate Martell (@TheTateMartell) June 3, 2016"

Academics and campus life are unsurprisingly key priorities for him in this process, but one element looms largest.

"I need to have a really good connection with the head coach, quarterback coach and offensive coordinator," Martell said. "That's huge. That's the biggest thing for me."

While things started in strong fashion with Texas A&M after his August pledge, the situation began to deteriorate during the winter when the program and offensive coordinator Jake Spavital parted ways. 

This drastically altered his rapport with the Aggies, as Martell's dad, Al, detailed during a discussion with Adam Gorney of Rivals.com:

"

It was different with [new Aggies offensive coordinator Noel] Mazzone with the whole communication. Mazzone had been there two weeks for our visit in January, he had been there maybe all of 10 days, so I get it. If the guy didn’t want to talk a whole lot, he’s still feeling out his job and his co-workers and his staff and where he fits in. 

I get that but when you go out a month later, for two days on that trip, didn’t talk to him once and then when we were there in March for their scrimmage, again, we were there for four days and not once did Mazzone ever talk, and I was five feet from him. Not a handshake, not anything.

"

Spavital landed at Cal in February and will coordinate the Golden Bears attack. This immediately placed the program on Martell's radar, and momentum has grown since.

"I wasn't even looking at Cal before Spav was there, and now it's probably going to end up as one of my top three schools with him being there," he said. "I have a great relationship with him, plus Cal is such a good school. That's obviously a good spot when you look at the depth chart. It's definitely high on my list right now."

Martell, rated No. 1 overall among dual-threat quarterbacks in the 2017 composite rankings, also has significant interest in an alternative Pac-12 university. However, one of America's most prized passers continues to wait for its offer.

"I'm still hoping Oregon offers me, but we'll see," he said, noting there's been consistent contact with Ducks coaches. "It's not like that's definitely where I'm going if they offer me, but it would be a great place to look at."

Another trio of Pac-12 programs remain in the picture, with Colorado, UCLA and USC featured in his top six. Martell, a Southern California native, is intrigued by the possibility of returning home for college.

Shortly before his commitment to Texas A&M, he told B/R the Trojans were essentially battling with the Aggies during the final stretch of decision-making efforts. Though Steve Sarkisian—who first collected Martell's commitment at Washington—is no longer the head coach at USC, much of the staff remains intact, and Martell said there's an inherent appeal to the program.

"USC is always kind of a Southern California kid's dream school. That's where you want to go," he said. "They've been recruiting me for a while, since the beginning of my sophomore year, and I've had a good relationship with them. It's back home, so it would be easy for my whole family to come see me play."

Proximity is also a positive for UCLA. The Bruins landed No. 1 overall 2015 quarterback recruit Josh Rosen, who enjoyed an outstanding freshman season last fall. Martell could envision a situation in which head coach Jim Mora is able to bridge his offense between two blue-chip talents.

"Josh would probably stay for one year and then leave for the NFL after that," he said. "So I would just have to sit behind him, and that's not a bad situation because he'll probably end up being a top-10 draft pick if he stays on the path he's on right now."

Cal is the Pac-12 leader in Martell's 247Sports crystal ball with 21 percent of experts' predictions. Ohio State leads all schools with 39 percent of signing day projections and hosted him on campus earlier this year.

"It's a great program, and everyone understands how successful Urban Meyer has been, especially with his offense," Martell said. "There's a lot to like about Ohio State."

The Buckeyes boast impressive young quarterback talent behind starter J.T. Barrett, who could return to Columbus in 2017. Expectations are building for second-year passer Joe Burrow, and incoming freshman Dwayne Haskins, an Elite 11 finalist, was a premier recruit in the 2016 cycle.

Ultimately, Martell aims to select a school that presents him a realistic shot at immediate starting duties.

"I want to go to a spot where I have an opportunity to compete as a freshman," he said. "That's really important. A place where I can compete to play early and develop with coaches who can prepare me for the NFL."  

Martell is 28-0 as a starter at Bishop Gorman, totaling 5,145 passing yards, 1,037 rushing yards, 86 total touchdowns and just eight interceptions. He'll enter the 2016 campaign as a major contender for National Player of the Year.

On the recruiting radar since seventh grade, his sights are firmly set on concluding a lengthy journey in decisive fashion.

"I wouldn't say I'm burnt out with this process, but I'm definitely ready to find the right place for me," Martell said.

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings.

Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.