Miami running back Damien Martinez who became the first Hurricane since 2016 to rush for over 1,000 yards declared for the NFL Draft on Monday. Martinez leaves Miami after one season. Martinez was previously at Oregon State for two years. In three collegiate seasons, Martinez ran for 3,169 yards and 26 TDs.
Martinez had a career-high 179 rushing yards with one TD versus Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday. That bested his previous career high of 178 rushing yards with three TDs versus Colorado for Oregon State during the 2022 season.
With 1,002 rushing yards, Martinez was four yards behind James Jackson in 2000 for 10th place in a single season in Miami history. Willis McGahee set the Miami single-season rushing record with 1,753 yards during the 2002 season. Martinez shared carries with Mark Fletcher Jr. and Jordan Lyle in 2024.
Martinez is 231st on the NFL Mock Draft Database Big Board and is projected as an undrafted free agent. At Oregon State and Miami, Martinez proved his versatility with 32 receptions for 391 yards. At 6'0 and 232 pounds, Martinez has excellent size and routinely carried defenders as a power runner.
6- 3 N OUT🫡🧡💚 pic.twitter.com/uChwmCzKq3
— damien martinez🔸 (@damienfor6) December 30, 2024
During the Pop-Tarts Bowl Martinez showed breakaway speed on the second play of the game for Miami with a 75-yard TD run. A key for Martinez will be the potential of receiving an invite to the NFL Combine. Competing at the NFL Combine will give Martinez a chance to significantly improve his draft status.
Martinez was a key part of a Miami offense that is first nationally averaging 43.9 points per game and 537.2 yards per game. Miami got exactly as they expected when Martinez transferred to Miami during the spring portal window in April. Martinez leaves a legacy at Miami after one extremely productive season.