Miami RB Damien Martinez named College football all-transfer team

Damien Martinez was named by 247Sports to its "College football all-transfer team: Highest-rated players at each position ahead of 2024 season." Quinshon Judkins who transferred from Mississippi to Ohio State and Martinez are the highest rated 2024 transfer RBs.

Martinez is projected as the first-team RB for Miami in 2024. Miami should have one of the best RB rooms in college football in 2024 with Ajay Allen, Mark Fletcher and Martinez. Fletcher projects as the second-team RB with Allen in-line to receive the third most carries for Miami in 2024.

Martinez ran for 2,167 yards and 16 touchdowns and added 15 receptions for 187 yards. Martinez was the 2022 Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and earned first-team All-Conference in each of the past two seasons. Martinez should challenge for first-team All-ACC in 2024.

After initially choosing to stay with Oregon State following the end of the 2023 season, Martinez entered the transfer portal this spring. Oregon State was left out of the Power Conference realignment in 2023. Beavers' head coach Jonathan Smith, an Oregon State alum was hired by Michigan State.

"Martinez was a gem of the spring transfer window and brings All-American upside with him to Miami by way of Oregon State, where he excelled in each of his first two college seasons as one of the best players in the Pac-12."

Carter Bahns, 247Sports

Martinez will help balance out the 2024 Miami offense led by Washington State transfer quarterback Cam Ward. Martinez and Ward have ceilings to compete for 2024 ACC Player of the Year and potentially to be All-Americans. With Miami, Martinez will have a greater opportunity for national recognition.

Miami should be more explosive on the ground with Martinez in 2024. Martinez finished 14th nationally last season with 39 runs of 10 yards or more. Miami was 59th nationally in 2023 with 65 runs of 10 yards or more. The addition of Martinez makes Miami a far more dynamic offense in 2024.