Miami Hurricanes running back Damien Martinez was only in college for three years, but he made a big impact in a short amount of time.
With 2,982 career rushing yards and 25 total touchdowns, Martinez was a reliable back between his stints with Oregon State and the Hurricanes. Now, the 21-year-old looks to carry his momentum onto the NFL level and has already visited the Dallas Cowboys along with two other top teams.
Insider Reveals NFL Teams Damien Martinez Is Visiting Before 2025 NFL Draft
A certified bruiser at running back, Martinez uses his size and strength in a manner that makes him one of the best power backs in the 2025 NFL Draft. Though he’s not the best there is at the running back position, the 21-year-old is drawing significant interest from teams, having visited the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, April 14, per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
Schultz also reported that the RB has already visited the Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins previously and is expected to be in Kansas City again on Tuesday, April 15.
“Source: Miami RB Damien Martinez is visiting the #Chiefs today and tomorrow. He has also visited the #Cowboys and #Dolphins. A big, physical back at 6-0, 217 pounds, Martinez averaged 6.3 YPC last season with 10 TDs and clocked a solid 4.51 40-time.”
While the Cowboys and the Dolphins do need depth in the running back room, Martinez is projected to be picked 123rd overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in PFSN’s latest seven-round mock draft. The Steelers are still waiting for Aaron Rodgers but lack a true tailback beyond Jaylen Warren as well, and using Martinez in rotation with him in 2025 could be a good move.
The 21-year-old was a three-star recruit from Lewisville High School in Texas. He finished his school career with 4,341 rushing yards and 66 touchdowns before committing to Oregon State in 2021.
Oregon State gradually brought Martinez into the fold as a true freshman in 2022, but he took over the starting running back job later in the year. He exploded with 982 rushing yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 6.1 yards per carry on 161 attempts. He concluded the regular season with six consecutive 100-yard games, earning Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Pac-12 recognition for his play.
Martinez started the 2023 season as the undisputed starting running back for the Beavers, and he lived up to expectations. He retained his average of 6.1 yards per carry, this time rushing 1,185 yards and nine touchdowns on 194 carries. He also caught 11 passes for 126 yards and earned yet another first-team All-Pac-12 nod. After the Pac-12 began dissolving, Martinez opted to enter the transfer portal after the season.
Courtesy of his performances at Oregon State, Martinez produced quite some buzz heading into the 2024 NFL season. He lived up to the hype in Miami, putting up 1,002 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 6.3 yards per carry. A strong, determined runner who processes well between tackles, Martinez should be a good pick in the second or third round.