Star running back Damien Martinez made headlines with his surprising decision to leave Oregon State to enter the transfer portal.
Considering what happened to the Pac-12 Conference, perhaps his decision shouldn’t be considered too shocking, however it was still very disappointing news for Beavers fans to hear.
Regardless, Martinez is officially in the transfer portal and will be playing football on another campus come next season.
According to On3, Martinez is the best player in the entire spring portal.
He has reportedly set his sights on five potential destinations and will be taking visits to each over the new two weeks…
-Arizona: April 17-18
-Mississippi State: April 19-20
-Tennessee: April 21-22
-Kentucky: April 23-24
-Miami: April 25-27
Martinez boasts an impressive track record. During his tenure at Oregon State, he was a consistent force on the ground, averaging 6.1 yards per carry over two seasons.
Last season alone, Martinez amassed 1,185 rushing yards and scored nine touchdowns.
His stellar performances included six instances of surpassing the 100-yard rushing mark, notably against formidable opponents such as the Washington Huskies, who eventually advanced to the National Championship Game.
However, Martinez’s journey has not been without its challenges.
In late November, he faced suspension from Oregon State following an arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants.
Although no charges were filed, the incident disrupted Martinez’s season, and he was notably absent from the Beavers Sun Bowl matchup against Notre Dame.
The departure of former Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith to Michigan State added another layer of complexity to Martinez’s decision-making process.
Despite initial intentions to remain with the Beavers, Martinez ultimately opted to explore his options in the transfer portal.
Reflecting on his choice to transfer, Martinez expressed the gravity of his decision, stating, “It’s the hardest one I’ve made in my entire life.”
What are your thoughts on Martinez as a player? … Is he as good as advertised?
Where do you think he will end up? … Which program is the best fit for him?
(Wherever he ends up going, we know one thing – he will be very well compensated!)