Oregon State working again Damien Martinez intends to enter the faculty soccer switch portal when it opens subsequent week, 247Sports studies. Martinez ranked among the many high 25 rushers within the nation in 2023 and posted 6.1 yards per carry. Within the switch portal, Martinez might be rated because the No. 2 working again, behind solely Quinshon Judkins (from Ole Miss to Ohio State).
The 2-year starter from Lewisville, Texas, rushed for greater than 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns in two seasons with the Beavers. He earned All-Pac-12 First Workforce honors as a sophomore whereas pacing an underrated Oregon State offense. With Martinez gone, Oregon State is down to a few scholarship working backs for the spring.
Martinez was one of many few star gamers to stay round after coach Jonathan Smith was poached by Michigan State over the offseason. Three All-Pac-12 teammates — quarterback Aidan Chiles, TE Jack Velling and OL Tanner Miller — joined Smith in East Lansing. A number of different gamers landed at Florida State and USC.
Fifteen totally different Oregon State gamers earned a spot on the All-Pac-12 workforce after the 2023 season. With Martinez set to depart, just one — offensive lineman Joshua Grey — will return.
Devastating loss for Beavers
Martinez had been vocal about returning to Corvallis, even after Smith left. He appeared to embrace the function of cornerstone.
“I am not one foot in, one foot out,” Martinez informed 247Sports in November. “I am right here. I am caught on being right here. That is the place I need to be, and like I mentioned, I am comfy right here. I have not had talks about leaving in any respect even with the entire teaching stuff occurring. I feel I’ve mentioned it earlier than, however the coach right here informed me he wasn’t leaving and he ended up leaving. Loyalty is one other huge factor and I simply wished to be right here.”
Nevertheless, the final calendar 12 months introduced unprecedented change for Oregon State and Washington State after each had been unnoticed of the ability conferences following the collapse of the Pac-12. Whereas the Beavers misplaced Smith and a number of main contributors, Wazzu misplaced each basketball coach Kyle Smith and athletic director Pat Chun.
Exterior of Grey, nearly each main contributor for Oregon State’s offense in 2024 was set to be new. The Beavers boasted one of many elite offensive strains within the nation final season however should discover 4 new starters up entrance. The shortage of expertise might have confirmed regarding for Martinez as he enters an all-important third season.
The place would possibly Martinez go
Martinez instantly establishes himself as probably the greatest rushers within the switch portal and doubtlessly the most effective participant out there. Listed at 6-feet and 232 kilos, he boasts a bodily working fashion that ought to translate to nearly any college or convention.
Following Smith to Michigan State might be a gorgeous alternative for Martinez. It will permit him to remain in the same system whereas transitioning to the Huge Ten. If Martinez desires to return dwelling, he was recruited by assistants at each new SEC packages — Texas and Oklahoma — at earlier stops. Sooners broad receivers coach Emmett Jones led the cost as his lead recruiter at Kansas out of highschool, and OU might use some assist on the place after younger gamers struggled to remain wholesome in 2023.
Alternatively, Martinez might look to the “Portal King” Lane Kiffin. The Rebels misplaced star Quinshon Judkins on the working again place. They have been tied to Miami switch Henry Parrish, however Martinez can be an excellent larger get.
Different faculties with working again as a necessity throughout the second switch portal window embrace Tennessee and Mississippi State.
