Miami running back Damien Martinez was included by Pro Football Focus in their article "2025 NFL Draft: 6 prospects who were held back by their situations," published on Wednesday by Dalton Wasserman. One of the aspects covered by Wasserman is the percentage of carries Martinez had during his three-year collegiate career.
Martinez averaged only 13.52 carries per game during his collegiate career. In his one season with Miami, Martinez averaged 12.23 CPG. Martinez had over 20 carries only five times in 38 career games. Martinez's high with Miami was 16 carries for 63 yards while adding two receptions for 18 in a 42-14 win over Wake Forest.
Martinez received 32.0 percent of Oregon State's carries as a freshman in 2022, 45.0 percent as a sophomore and 37.4 percent during his one season with Miami in 2024. At 6'0 and 217 pounds, Martinez can probably receive more than 12 to 13 carries per game without wearing down.
With Mark Fletcher Jr. and Jordan Lyle behind him at RB in 2024, Miami finished 31st nationally, averaging 188.92 rushing yards per game and sixth, posting 5.67 yards per carry. Miami was 98th nationally, averaging 33.31 rushing attempts per game. That was largely because of the prolific passing game led by Cam Ward.
Damien Martinez had the 3rd highest rushing grade among ALL players last season👀 pic.twitter.com/DWSUdefe0u
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 23, 2025
"Martinez is a perfect example of why PFF rushing grades and efficiency are important...when evaluating a running back...He never garnered even half of his team’s carries...but he averaged more than 6 yards per carry in all three (seasons)...Dalton Wasserman, Pro Football Focus
He managed to earn the third-best PFF rushing grade in the nation despite ranking 68th in carries. The Hurricanes also ranked 72nd in the FBS in PFF run-blocking grade and had one of the least creative rushing attacks in the nation. Miami deployed man run schemes on 43% of their attempts, the sixth-highest rate in the FBS."
Martinez finished 54th nationally, averaging 77.08 YPG, 95th in attempts per game and 36th, posting 6.3 YPC. Lyle was seventh nationally, averaging 7.41 YPC. Fletcher Jr. and Lyle could receive more CPC in 2025 than they did with Martinez in 2024 if a third RB does not emerge.
Martinez is 80th overall and the ninth-ranked RB on the PFF Big Board for the 2025 NFL Draft. The PFF scouting report for Martinez states, "He will likely be the physical component of a committee unless he can significantly improve his pass-blocking fundamentals."
Martinez improved as a receiver in each of his three collegiate seasons. In two seasons with Oregon State, Martinez had 15 receptions for 187 yards. Martinez had 17 receptions for 204 yards in his one season with Miami. Martinez never had a receiving TD in college and was targeted only 50 times.
Martinez is the ideal early-down back and closer who can punish opponents late in the game as their defenses wear down. In 2024, Martinez got better as the game wore on. Martinez had a higher YPC with each subsequent quarter, culminating at 7.10 in the fourth with three TDs, eight first downs and six carries of 10 or more yards on 30 carries.