OXFORD — The Miami RedHawks will open a football season without Brett Gabbert at quarterback.
Gabbert — a six-year starter who guided the RedHawks to multiple Mid-American Conference title games — has since moved on to the NFL, signing as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins.
His departure leaves a leadership and production void that head coach Chuck Martin filled in a big — and familiar — way.
That’s where Dequan Finn enters the picture.
Finn, the 2023 MAC Player of the Year at Toledo, transferred to Miami in January, giving the RedHawks a proven winner with a resume full of big-play moments.
Martin said the RedHawks weren’t necessarily shopping for a quarterback in the transfer portal, but the situation changed quickly when Finn became available just before the new year.
“We pretty much said if there’s a difference-maker, let’s try to get him,” Martin said. “The portal opens in early December, and we really didn’t hear from him until a couple of days before New Year’s. It just worked out. He took a visit, he liked it, and we felt like he was a kid that can be a difference-maker at that position.”
Finn’s credentials are hard to ignore. In his career, he has thrown for nearly 70 touchdowns and rushed for more than 30 scores. His ability to stretch defenses vertically and make plays with his legs gives Miami a dual-threat dimension the RedHawks haven’t fully tapped in recent years.
“Obviously, we defended him twice in 2024 — once in the regular season and again in the MAC championship game,” Martin said. “Our defensive staff probably pushed the hardest to get him because they knew better than anyone his talents.”
Martin’s relationship with Finn dates back to the quarterback’s high school days at Detroit Martin Luther King, where he won state titles before choosing Toledo. The two stayed familiar with each other over the years through competition, though not in daily contact.
The move to bring in Finn means Miami will feature one of the most experienced quarterback tandems in the MAC. Senior Henry Hesson returns after serving as Gabbert’s backup and earning Martin’s trust as a capable leader in his own right.
“We love Hank,” Martin said. “He’s grown into being a good backup to where we think he can be a starter now. When he came in last year against Central Michigan, he showed what he can do. We feel like we’ve got a one and one-A at that position. Two seniors with a lot of experience between them.”
Behind the veterans, Miami’s quarterback depth includes redshirt freshman Thomas Gotkowski and true freshman Noah Ehrlich. Gotkowski impressed Martin last season while running the scout team, showing off a strong arm and the mobility to escape pressure. Ehrlich, a summer enrollee, is already drawing positive reviews from the staff. Freshman Jonah Kroenung rounds out the QB room.
“We’ve got two young kids we really like,” Martin said. “We feel like the room is deep and talented.”
Replacing Gabbert’s leadership and knowledge of the offense won’t be easy, but Martin is confident the combination of Finn’s explosiveness, Hesson’s steadiness and the developmental talent behind them gives Miami a strong foundation heading into the Aug. 28 opener at Wisconsin.
“Would you love to have Brett back? Heck yeah — he’s been here for six years,” Martin said. “But we’re excited. We’re excited with Dequan, and we’re excited with Hank. And obviously Dequan brings a different element. He’s the ultimate dual threat, and he can open up a lot of things for our offense.”
Martin said facing Finn in MAC play and now seeing him in Red and White might take some getting used to. His son Max summed it up best.
“My son said, ‘Dad, isn’t that the kid that used to be at Toledo? Didn’t we just play him in the MAC championship game?’” Martin recalled. “I said, ‘Yes, we did, Max.’ He said, ‘This is going to be weird, Dad.’ I said, ‘Max, college football is already weird.’ And yes, it is.”
