“I thought he had a good last year, especially with his completion percentage and really toward the end of the year,” Lubick said. “He’s taken it to another level from a leadership standpoint and an accuracy standpoint. I even think from a fitness standpoint. I already knew he was a good athlete and he was fast, but he looks even a step faster.
“He’s throwing balls on time and he’s really making the receivers and tight ends and everyone look good because he’s putting the ball where it’s supposed to be on a consistent basis.”
Timely throws come when a quarterback is making decisions on schedule, something that head coach Scott Frost, quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco and Martinez himself have all talked about many times over the past two years. Martinez has the arm to make any throw required, he just at times either has not been decisive enough or has struggled to consistently harness his mechanics.
“He’s always had great zip and arm strength — I think NFL arm strength — but the thing that I’ve noticed is he’s taken his accuracy another step,” Lubick said. “When he has to put touch on the ball, he can put touch on the ball. That’s why we’ve been able to complete more deep balls than in the past.
“I’ve been really happy with the way he’s throwing the ball.”
Photos: What’s a spring Husker football practice look like? Take a look inside Hawks Championship Center
Nebraska wide receiver Omar Manning (5) watches his teammates during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska wide receiver Zavier Betts (bottom) catches a pass during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska quarterback Matt Masker (18) throws a pass during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) and linebacker Damian Jackson (38) share a laugh during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska quarterbacks (from left to right) Matt Masker, Logan Smothers, Heinrich Haarberg and Adrian Martinez await the start of a sprint during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
The Nebraska defense works on blocking drills during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers (8) throws a pass during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost (left) and linebacker Damian Jackson (38) share a laugh during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander (right) instructs his players during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska wide receiver Alante Brown (left) runs with the ball after a catch during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone (left) blocks fellow tight end Nate Boerkircher during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska wide receiver Jamie Nance runs after catching a pass during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska wide receiver Samori Toure (center) tries to avoid a tackle after catching a pass during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone (left) blocks fellow tight end Nate Boerkircher during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) leads the team during warmups at a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) directs the team during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) throws a pass during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone in action during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska quarterback Logan Smothers throws a pass during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska players run sprints during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska’s inside linebackers coach Barrett Ruud instructs players during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska linebackers, including Garrett Nelson (44), Blaise Gunnerson (24), Nick Leader (81) and Damian Jackson (38), during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska offensive coordinator Matt Lubick during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander talks with players during a spring football practice April 7 at Hawks Championship Center.
A look at Nebraska football’s spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska’s Ru’Quan Buckley works during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska’s Blaise Gunnerson in action during a spring football practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
A view of Nebraska football’s spring practice Wednesday at Hawks Championship Center.
Contact the writer at pgabriel@journalstar.com or 402-473-7439. On Twitter @HuskerExtraPG.
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