The offence in Miami just got much better.
Star Oregon State transfer running back Damien Martinez declared his decision to play for the Hurricanes this autumn on Saturday, following an official visit with the team. With 1,185 yards and nine touchdowns in his breakout sophomore season for the Beavers, the 6-foot, 232-pound player was named to the first team of the Pac-12.
Martinez chose to look into his possibilities through the transfer portal this spring, which attracted interest from schools including Arizona, Tennessee, Mississippi State, and Kentucky. Martinez concluded his campus visits in Coral Gables this past weekend after making two trips to Tucson and Starkville.
After spending time around running backs coach Matt Merritt, who he met twice prior to the visit during in-home visits, Mario Cristobal, and the Hurricanes staff, it was clear that Miami was the right fit.
” ,” Martinez told InsideTheU ahead of his commitment.
With Martinez in the backfield, Miami’s running back room should now be considered one of the best in the ACC with the junior leading a group that also features promising rising sophomore Mark Fletcher, a 6-foot-2, 225-pounder ran for 514 yards and five scores as a true freshman last fall.
The Hurricanes are also excited about having former Nebraska transfer Ajay Allen fully healthy. He’s an explosive back who has had a lingering lower extremity injury that he’s nursed since arriving at Miami last summer. True freshman Jordan Lyle will also bring a spark to the room when he arrives this summer, while Chris Johnson, who possesses elite speed, and true freshman Chris Wheatley-Humphrey continue to develop.
In 2023, Martinez ranked among the top 12 in Power 5 football for yards after contact, forced missed tackles, and rushes of 15 yards or more. In addition to his best performance of 123 yards on 26 attempts and two touchdowns against No. 5 Washington, he had six games with 100 yards or more.
Martinez forced 57 missed tackles and averaged 3.84 yards after contact in the previous fall.
Martinez joins former Washington State transfer quarterback Cam Ward, Washington safety Mishael Powell, and Middle Tennessee State defensive tackle Marley Cook as the fourth blue-chip transfer prospect to select Miami during the course of both windows.
Martinez is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 2 running back and the 33rd overall prospect.
