Damien Martinez is expected to be the go-to running back for the Hurricanes in 2024 after transferring to Miami from Oregon State this offseason.
As Martinez finds his footing in the ACC, a few other new faces will enter the conference as well; the California Golden Bears, Stanford Cardinal, and SMU Mustangs.
Damien Martinez and the Hurricanes are projected to be a top team in the ACC if not the country, but he isn’t going to be the only good running back this season.
Which RB1 could pose a threat to the Canes’ record throughout their 2024 regular season?
With Trevor Etienne leaving the Florida Gators for Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs, Montrell Johnson Jr. will no longer have to share snaps and will run the backfield for UF in 2024.
Last season, while sharing snaps with Etienne, Johnson led the Gators in rushing with 817 yards on 152 carries. He has 27 career touchdowns on the ground over three collegiate seasons.
Despite entering his collegiate career as a wideout for the Yellow Jackets, Jamal Haynes was quickly converted into an elite running back by head coach Brent Key.
After finding his footing as a fullback for Georgia Tech, Haynes racked up an incredible 1,059 yards on the ground and 7 rushing touchdowns.
True to his receiver roots, Haynes also had 151 yards and a touchdown through the air.
While the Golden Bears struggled throughout their final season in the Pac-12, California’s running back Jadyn Ott quite literally carried his team to a bowl game at the end of the year.
With 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground for the Bears in 2023, and an additional 2 touchdowns on 196 yards through the air, Ott led the teams in yards and scoring.
As Ott enters his junior season, the California running back is expected to be the No. 1 ball carrier in the ACC and may pose a problem for the Miami Hurricanes.