Brad Crawford of 247Sports named the Miami football program in his article "College football transfer portal: Oregon State RB Damien Martinez has wealth of potential options." Miami could search for a transfer RB with injuries that have limited them at the position during spring practice.
Ajay Allen and Mark Fletcher have been out this spring with injuries. Two-time Miami leading rusher Henry Parrish left the Hurricanes last month and will enter the transfer portal next week. Allen is expected to be healthy for the beginning of training camp in August. There is more uncertainty for Fletcher.
Martinez had 2,167 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns with 15 receptions for 187 yards in two years at Oregon State. Martinez will be the second-highest-ranked RB in the 2024 transfer portal via the 247Sports composite rankings behind Quinshon Jenkins who transferred from Mississippi to Ohio State.
Kentucky, Mississippi, Mississippi State and Tennessee are projected to be the main competitors for Martinez with Miami. Martinez has outperformed his recruiting ranking as the 600th signee, 48th RB and 89th player from Texas in the 2022 class per the 247Sports composite rankings.
"MIAMI HURRICANESBrad Crawford, 247Sports
Odds are Miami will be in contact with Martinez...The Hurricanes have just three scholarship players available at running back this spring after injuries to Mark Fletcher and Ajay Allen.
The addition of Martinez would give Miami several new playmakers from the portal within the 2024 two-deep, including elite Washington State transfer Cam Ward at quarterback...On paper, with Martinez in tow, Miami's offense would look considerably more potent than last season's personnel."
Clint Brewster of 247Sports described Martinez as "an elite blend of size, speed, cutting ability, and toughness. At 6'0 and 230 pounds, Martinez has the size Mario Cristobal likes at RB, Brewster stated to expect Martinez to be an elite back in 2024. Miami went four deep at RB during the 2023 season.
Adding Martinez would provide Miami with four experienced and proven RBs entering the 2024 season. Allen and Fletcher were productive for Miami with Don Chaney Jr. who transferred to Louisville and Parrish in 2024. The other RBs on the 2024 Miami roster are unproven.
Redshirt freshman Chris Johnson, redshirt sophomore Tre'Vonte Citizen and 2024 signee Chris Wheatley-Humphrey were the only healthy RBs for Miami this spring. Jordan Lyle will arrive as another 2024 signee later this year. Adding Martinez can help Miami improve its 173.15 rushing yards per game in 2023.