2 Miami players named to Pro Football Focus' 2024 All-Transfer Team

Miami running back Damien Martinez and quarterback Cam Ward were named to the Pro Football Focus 2024 All-Transfer Team on Monday. Martinez was four yards away from breaking into the top 10 single-season rushing performances in Miami history. Ward's record-setting season has been well documented.

Ward was the difference maker for Miami in 2024. One of the under publicized records Ward set was with 10 games over 300 yards passing in a single season for Miami. Ward finished one off the Miami career record set by his predecessor, Tyler Van Dyke who had 11 games over 300 yards passing from 2021-23.

Miami was the most prolific offense nationally in 2024 because of Ward, Martinez and an elite receiving corps. The Hurricanes were also one of the most explosive offenses nationally ranking in the top five by most measures in passing plays of 10 or more yards continuing to completions of 70 plus yards.

Ward transferred to Miami to improve his NFL Draft stock and in part to cut down on his turnovers. After leading the nation with seven fumbles lost in 2023, Ward finished 23rd nationally with only three fumbles lost in 2024. Ward also improved from 25 touchdowns to 39 with seven interceptions in 2023 and 2024.

"Ward wasn’t just the best quarterback who switched homes in 2024, he was the best quarterback period. He was the most valuable player in the nation according to PFF’s wins above average metric while his 92.9 PFF grade led all FBS signal-callers. Ward led the nation with 39 passing touchdowns while his 4,313 passing yards and 31 big-time throws were both second. "

Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus

Martinez was the first Miami RB to rush for over 1,000 yards since Mark Walton had 1,117 during the resurgent 2016 season under Mark Richt. Led by Martinez, Miami finished first in the ACC and 31st nationally averaging 188.92 rushing yards per game. That was the ninth most rushing YPG in Miami program history.

"Martinez’s 94.3 rushing grade was third among FBS tailbacks in 2024, trailing only Ashton Jeanty and Cam Skattebo. He averaged 4.5 yards after contact per attempt which was second among Power Four tailbacks. "

Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus

Martinez finishing behind Jeanty who was runner-up in the Heisman Trophy balloting and Skattebo who was fifth is impressive. Jeanty was first nationally averaging 185.79 rushing YPG and Skattebo was third at 131.62 rushing YPG. Jeanty had 374 carries and Skattebo 293, while Martinez had 159.

Martinez averaged over 4.0 yards per carry in nine games in 2024 and finished with 1,002 rushing yards. Although Miami lost its last two games, Martinez finished with two of his best performances. Against Syracuse, Martinez ran 10 times for 84 yards and had a 55-yard run called back because of a holding call.

Martinez went over 1,000 yards with 14 carries for 179 yards and a touchdown in the Pop-Tarts Bowl loss to Iowa State. The success of Ward and Martinez has helped Mario Cristobal sign the fifth-best 2025 transfer class. Ward's 2024 season in particular led to Carson Beck. Expect Miami to continue being a popular transfer destination.