Too young to shave; 14-year-old QB commits to UW

The University of Washington has received a verbal commitment from 14-year-old QB Tate Martell. (ESPN)

Most 14-year-olds don’t know what they’re going to do
this afternoon. But Tate Martell already has plans for
college. The San Diego middle school quarterback has
made a verbal commitment to play for the University of
Washington.

Martell’s quarterback coach, Steve Clarkson, sent word of
the commitment Wednesday to Bob Condotta of The Seattle
Times.

“Obviously a lot can happen between now and 2017. Instead
of being married, they’re kind of going together, I guess
may be the best way to put it,” Condotta said in an
interview on “The Kevin Calabro Show”.

“Man, I’ve been eyeing this kid since he was 8,” joked
co-host Jim Moore.

While you can see in video the kid has some serious skills
for a seventh grader, Moore is dubious and says it’s little
more than a PR ploy. Condotta says that’s not a bad
thing, especially for the UW.

“Washington has been doing some kind of aggressive, cutting-edge things with recruiting as of late,” Condotta says.

Condotta says Martell’s family made the decision after
meeting with UW head coach Steve Sarkisian this week in
Los Angeles. There’s a direct connection between the two. Clarkson coached Sarkisian as a teen QB prodigy.

“I really didn’t expect it to happen at this point, at how young I am,” he said. “It’s just weird, weird but really cool. I’m looking forward to it. It’s a great
opportunity,” Martell told Condotta.

While the UW is offering a coveted scholarship to Martell, Condotta says there’s little risk.

“It’s not binding, there’s really nothing on the line,
there’s really nothing for anybody to lose except for
looking bad in the court of public opinion,” he says.

“Thanks to everyone who has helped me throughout my young
career. I appreciate all the support from everyone,”
Martell wrote on his Facebook page.