MANHATTAN, Kan. — A few hours after Adrian Martinez announced that he was transferring away from Nebraska last winter, a restaurant full of Huskers fans greeted the dual-threat quarterback with a standing ovation when he went out for dinner.
Martinez was grateful for the reception when he arrived alone at HopCat, a popular bar and grill in downtown Lincoln, that night. But he chuckles as he recalls the story. Why? Because he's still surprised no one in the place recognized the man with whom he dined:
Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein.
"I consider Coach Klein to be a college football legend," Martinez said. "He was incognito in the back. When I walked in people started standing and clapping for me and they didn't realize this guy, who was a Heisman Trophy finalist, was just sitting over there. I think if anyone deserved some claps it was probably him."
Klein and Martinez share a strong mutual respect for each other, and that is one of the main reasons why Martinez ultimately decided to continue his college football career with the Wildcats.
"Our worldview from a faith and family perspective is the same," Klein said. "Us both being quarterbacks and how we think is very similar. It was just a great fit from the get go."
Indeed, it didn't take long for Klein and Martinez to realize they were compatible.
Klein, who was one of the best quarterbacks in K-State history before he transitioned to coaching, was on a recruiting trip in Kansas City when Martinez entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal. The news immediately shifted Klein's focus north. He called Martinez and told him he could be in Lincoln later that day. He was already pulling up directions on his smart phone. Sometimes recruiting moves at warp speed.
Martinez wasn't about to say no.
Not only did he admire Klein as a player and respect the offense he was trying to build around star running back Deuce Vaughn, but his girlfriend was a member of the K-State women's soccer team. There were lots of reasons for him to be interested in relocating to Manhattan. Both sides agreed to meet for dinner and discuss how Martinez would fit in with the Wildcats.
"It was a unique situation," Martinez said, "and a conversation I won't forget."
Martinez could see himself wearing purple by the end of the evening. His talk with his future position coach and offensive coordinator went so well that he didn't want it to end.
He went on to meet with a handful of other coaches from other schools and he took an official visit to California, but he ultimately chose K-State. Klein gave the Wildcats an early recruiting lead they would never relinquish.
"The biggest thing is he wasn't a salesman," Martinez said. "He was genuine. He has been everything he said he would be. He has been true to who he says he is and he shows up everyday consistent. I saw that when I first met him. He talked me through his offense and their plans for the future. I was excited, even on that first night. I had a good feeling right away."
When Martinez returned home, he pulled up old highlights of Klein leading the Wildcats to 10 victories in 2011 and then a Big 12 championship the following year.
His biggest takeaway: They are similar quarterbacks.
Klein threw for 4,724 yards and 30 touchdowns during his college career, but he was best known as a bruising runner who rushed for 2,485 yards and 38 touchdowns on a whopping 601 carries.
"The guy was a tank back in the day," Martinez said of Klein. "Anytime you get a chance to play for a guy who understands what it is like to play quarterback and play it at a high level, it is an incredible opportunity. Coach Klein has done that and he did it pretty recently."
Martinez put up higher passing numbers (8,491 yards and 45 touchdowns) while he played for the Huskers, but his rushing stats were about the same (2,301 and 35 touchdowns), albeit spread out over four years as a starter instead of two for Klein.
"I wish I was as fast as he was, or is," Klein said. "Hopefully, we don't run him 300-plus times like they did with me in 2011."
Klein and Martinez also both know what it's like to play through injuries.
Their conversations about the quarterback position would make an entertaining podcast.
"You can tell he has played a lot of ball and he has seen a lot of different scenarios," Klein said. "He has been through a lot of ups and downs and his maturity and foundation through all of that is extremely impressive."
It won't be long before Martinez follows in Klein's footsteps and takes control of the K-State offense as its starting quarterback in the fall.
Martinez is hopeful that he will be able to unlock his full potential while playing for a new team and a new coordinator, even though nobody recognizes Klein at restaurants in Nebraska.
