Led by Oregon State transfer Damien Martinez, David Kenyon of the Bleacher Report named the running backs for the Miami football program the best group in the ACC. Martinez transferred during the spring transfer portal window in April and provides Miami with an elite RB.
Martinez had 2,167 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in two seasons at Oregon State. The Pac-12 named Martinez first-team All-Conference in each season with the Beavers. Martinez was a freshman All-American in 2021 and earned the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year.
The addition of Martinez provides Miami with needed RB experience. None of the other RBs on the 2024 Miami roster have more than one full year of collegiate experience. Martinez has shown the ability to be the primary ball carrier, averaging 14.2 carries and 86.7 rushing yards per game in his college career.
Martinez was 19th nationally in 2023 averaging 98.46 rushing yards per game. That was third among running backs on ACC teams in 2024. Miami adds Martinez after Don Chaney Jr., Tre'Vonte Citizen and two-time Miami leading rusher Henry Parrish transferred off the 2023 roster.
Huge addition for Miami. Damien Martinez is a stud.
— Thomas Casale (@TheTomCasale) April 28, 2024
This will be Mario Cristobal's most talented team at Miami by quite a wide margin. Watch out for the Canes in the ACC. https://t.co/5SEipUkVBH
"ACCDavid Kenyon, Bleacher Report
The Pick: Miami Hurricanes
Around the ACC, there are several elite individuals. Cal's Jadyn Ott and North Carolina's Omarion Hampton stand atop the list, while Clemson's Phil Mafah isn't terribly far behind.
Miami didn't have a player of that perception—not until Damien Martinez transferred from Oregon State.
Now, though, the 'Canes have a proven back who averaged 6.1 yards per carry in two seasons with OSU. Martinez will be the featured runner of a retooled and seemingly upgraded offense at The U.
Behind him, Mark Fletcher Jr. flashed some outstanding upside as a true freshman season. He ripped off a pair of 100-yard showings in November, rumbling for 514 yards and five touchdowns. Redshirt freshman went Ajay Allen went for 361 yards and five scores, too."
Hampton was fifth nationally and led the ACC with 115.69 rushing yards per game. Ott was ninth nationally and led the Pac-12 with 109.58 rushing yards per game. Miami plays at California on October 6 but does not play North Carolina in 2023. Hampton had 24 carries for 197 yards and a TD versus Miami in 2023.
Allen and Fletcher are each recovering from offseason surgery and did not participate in spring practice. Allen is expected to be healthy. Fletcher is recovering from a Lisfranc foot injury. The expectation is that Fletcher will be ready for August training camp, but his status is less certain than Allen's.
In addition to Allen and Fletcher, speedy redshirt freshman Chris Johnson returns at RB for Miami in 2024. Miami signed RBs Jordan Lyle and Chris Wheatley-Humphrey in the 2024 class. Lyle will be a player to watch as the season progresses. Lyle should challenge for carries in 2024.