Miami football targeting explosive players in transfer portal

Houston wide receiver Sam Brown and Oregon State running back Damien Martinez are high-priority transfers for the Miami football program who would provide the Hurricanes with more explosiveness on offense. Miami was 70th nationally in 2023 with only 14 plays of 30 or more yards.

Explosiveness is a theme Miami is clearly seeking through the transfer portal. Quarterback Cam Ward who transferred to Miami from Washington State in January is expected to give Miami more consistency and explosiveness offensively. Adding Brown and Martinez would greatly help Ward.

In 2023, Ward was 11th nationally with 52 completions of 20 or more yards. Miami was 39th with 48 completions of 20 or more yards as a team in 2023. Miami was 59th nationally in 2023 with 65 runs of 10 yards or more. Martinez finished 14th nationally with 39 runs of 10 yards or more in 2023.

Henry Parrish who has since transferred to Mississippi led Miami with 24 runs of 10 yards or more in 2024. Parrish averaged 6.25 yards per carry in 2023. Miami averaged 5.12 yards per carry in 2023. Martinez averaged 6.12 yards per carry last season.

Clint Brewster of 247Sports said Martinez has "an elite blend of size, speed, cutting ability, and toughness."At 6'0 and 237 pounds, Martinez would be the biggest RB on the 2024 Miami roster. Mark Fletcher is currently the biggest Miami RB at 6''2 and 225 pounds. Martinez would provide Miami with size and speed.

Brown would provide Miami with size and speed at 6'2 and 185 pounds. Brown had 62 receptions for 815 yards and three touchdowns in 2023. The breakout season for Brown came as a redshirt freshman in 2022 under current Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson.

Brown had 41 receptions for 471 yards and four TDs in 2022. Brown was a clutch and explosive player in 2023 with 33 receptions for first downs, 20 catches of 15 or more yards and seven of 25 or more yards. Miami needs a third WR next to Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George. Brown would provide a proven history of production.

Restrepo had 52 receptions for first downs in 2023, 32 catches of 15 yards or more and 10 of 25 or more. George had 33 receptions first downs in 2023, 18 catches for 15 yards or more and 12 of 25 yards or more. Expect the explosive plays in the passing game to increase during the 2024 season for Miami.

At 6'2, Brown would become tied as the second tallest WR on the Miami roster behind Isaiah Horton. Brown would complement the 5'10 George and 6'0 Restrepo. George developed as a big play threat in 2023. Restrepo is an elite slot receiver. Adding Brown would give Miami one of the most proven WR corps nationally.