Oregon State transfer RB Damien Martinez sets Miami football visits

The Miami football program will host Oregon State transfer running back Damien Martinez from April 25-27 per Nick Schultz of On3. Martinez will also visit Arizona April 17-18, Mississippi State April 19-20, Tennessee April 21-22 and Kentucky April 23-24 before visiting Miami.

Martinez is the highest-rated transfer RB available and second overall in the 247Sports composite rankings. In two seasons with Oregon State, Martinez had 2,167 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns with 15 receptions for 187 yards. Martinez was named first-team All-Pac 12 twice.

After initially choosing to stay with Oregon State after the end of the 2023 season, Martinez had a chance of heart during spring practice and entered the transfer portal officially on Tuesday. Oregon State was left of power conference realignment. The Beavers will play a Mountain West schedule for at least the next two seasons.

Miami lost redshirt sophomore Tre'Vonte Citizen and Henry Parrish, who led the Hurricanes in rushing in the last two seasons, officially to the transfer portal on Tuesday. Expect Miami to add at least one transfer RB with the potential for two. Sophomore RB Mark Fletcher might not be ready for the start of the 2024 season.

Reports from 247Sports and On3 favor Miami state Miami is the favorite for Martinez. In addition to Fletcher, Miami has Redshirt Sophomore Ajay Allen, redshirt freshman Chris Johnson and 2024 signees Jordan Lyle and Chris Wheatley-Humphrey on the current roster at RB.

At 6'0 and 237 pounds Martinez would provide Miami with another big RB and insurance if Fletcher isn't ready for the beginning of the season. Fletcher is 6'2 and 225 pounds. All of the other Miami RBs are under 200 pounds. Martinez is the only highly-ranked transfer RB that is still available in the portal.

Martinez appears to be a priority for Miami in the transfer portal. Miami reportedly is seeking starter-level transfers. Do not expect Miami to chase transfers just to add depth. Expect more Miami players to enter the transfer portal with the spring cycle open from Tuesday through April 30.