Miami running back Damien Martinez was named the best early down back in the "2025 NFL Draft: Best late-round option for every offensive role" by James Plocher of Pro Football Focus. Martinez ran for over 1,000 yards all three years in college. After spending his first two seasons at Oregon State, Martinez played for Miami in 2024.
Martinez led Oregon State in rushing his first two seasons there and topped Miami with 1,002 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 while averaging 6.3 yards per carry. At 6'0 and 217 pounds Martinez is difficult to bring down. Martinez had 32 career receptions for 391 yards and was a good outlet option for Cam Ward.
Martinez finished 36th nationally in YPC as he shared carries with sophomore Mark Fletcher Jr. and freshman Jordan Lyle. Miami was sixth nationally as a team averaging 5.67 YPC in 2024 led by Fletcher Jr., Lyle and Martinez carrying the load of the rushing offense.
Martinez should become a quality back on early downs with the potential to develop into a reliable receiver. During the 2024 season, Martinez was clutch running for 53 first downs and showed the ability to break long runs with 24 carries for 10 or more yards and eight for 20 or more.
"Martinez was productive for three straight seasons, amassing 3,173 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground over that span. Martinez is currently the No. 131 prospect on the PFF big board, but his 94.3 PFF rushing grade in 2024 ranked third in the draft class — behind only Ashton Jeanty and Cam Skattebo. Martinez is capable of generating yards on his own, as his 4.46 yards after contact per attempt also ranked third in the draft class."Jordan Plocher, Pro Football Focus
Martinez was a finisher for Miami who got stronger throughout games. Martinez averaged 5.86 YPC in the first quarter, 6.43 in the second, 6.09 in the third and 7.1 in the fourth. Eight of Martinez's fourth-quarter carries in 2024 were for first downs, six were for at least 10 yards and two went for 20 or more yards.
Martinez was adept in short yardage (third down with one to three yards to go) with 15 carries for 64 yards and 13 first downs. Martinez was also exceptional on first down with 91 carries for 658 yards, 7.23 YPC, eight TDs 16 first downs, 16 carries of 10 or more yards and five for 20 or more.
As a three-star prospect who was the 48th-ranked RB in the 2022 class, Martinez's production far exceeded his recruiting ranking. As the 131st-ranked prospect on the PFF Big Board, Martinez would be a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Based on his college production, Martinez should be a great mid to late-round pick for any NFL team.