Seven Miami football transfers earned FBS All-Conference during collegiate careers

Seven players who joined the Miami football program for the 2024 season have earned All-Conference at the FBS level during their collegiate careers. Four Miami transfers earned All-Conference on defense and three on offense. Five transfers earned All-Confererence with Power Five programs.

The list is led by former Oregon State running back Damien Martinez. Martinez was first-team All Pac-12 in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, Martinez was fourth in the Pac 12 averaging 75.54 rushing yards per game, for a total of 982 yards and seven touchdowns as a true freshman.

Martinez improved to 98.75 rushing yards per game in 2023 for 1,185 yards and seven touchdowns. Martinez was second in the Pac-12 in rushing in 2023. The Pac-12 named Martinez their Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2022. Expect Martinez to earn preseason All-ACC accolades this summer.

Center Zach Carpenter, defensive lineman Simeon Barrow and quarterback Cam Ward and wide receiver Sam Brown have all earned Power Conference accolades during their collegiate careers. Carpenter signed with Michigan as a guard in the 2019 class before transferring to Indiana in 2021. Carpenter played center and guard at Indiana.

Brown had a breakout season in 2023 with 62 receptions for 815 yards and three TDs. Brown was fifth in Big 12 in receptions per game (5.2), eighth in the conference in receiving yards per game (67.9) and 10 in receiving yards with 815. Miami should have one of the best WR corps in the ACC led by Brown, Jacolby George and Xavier Restrepo.

Ward had his best season in FBS completing 66.6 percent of his pass attempts for 3,736 yards, 25 TDs and seven interceptions with 144 rushing yards and seven scores in 2023. Before transferring to Washington State during the 2022 offseason, Ward spent two years at FCS Incarnate Word in San Antonio.

Barrow has been honorable mention All Big-10 in the last two seasons. In 2022, Barrow had his best season with 40 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and a forced fumble. Barrow had 36 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in 2023. Barrow also had 34 tackles, 4.0 TFLs, 3.0 sacks, 1.0 pass breakup and 1.0 FF in 2021.

Cook had 22 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks and a PBU in 2022 earning first-team PFF All-CUSA. Cook nearly matched his 2022 production with 22 tackles, 6.0 TFLs, 1.0 sack, 1.0 FF, 1.0 FR and a TD in 2023. Miami is expected to play Cook as a pass rush specialist behind Barrow and C.J. Clark at defensive tackle in 2024.

Alston provides Miami with a trio of proven edge rushers. Alston had 45 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 6.0 sacks, an interception returned for a TD, 2.0 PBUs and 2.0 FFs in 2024. Miami will slot Alston in behind projected starters Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor at edge rusher. Bain and Mesidor can both play tackle on passing downs.

The seven players who have earned All-Conference at the FBS level are half of the incoming transfers for Miami in 2024. Miami gains experienced players who have accomplished a high level of play during their collegiate careers. A few of the seven should challenge for All-ACC in 2024.