New York Jets Sign Former Nebraska Cornhusker, Kansas State Wildcat Adrian Martinez

After going undrafted in 2023 and playing in the NFL preseason, former Husker and Wildcat Adrian Martinez took over the UFL. That emergence has earned him another shot at the NFL with the New York Jets.

Kaleb Henry | Jul 27, 2024

Oct 16, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) looks on against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. / Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

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Another shot at the NFL for a former Husker.

The New York Jets have announced the signing of Adrian Martinez. The former Husker and Kansas State Wildcat quarterback electrified the UFL this year, placing him squarely on the radar for NFL teams.

Martinez earned UFL MVP honors while playing for the Birmingham Stallions. He threw for 1,749 yards and 15 TDs in addition to leading the league with 528 yards rushing.

Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez (18) scrambles in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium.

Aug 25, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez (18) scrambles in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Back in 2023, Martinez went undrafted, ultimately signing a free agent deal with the Detroit Lions and spending the preseason there.

In college, Martinez played in 49 games, including 39 for Nebraska. The first three-time Husker captain in history holds a plethora of Nebraska records, including the career mark for total offense (10,792 yards).

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Published Jul 27, 2024

KALEB HENRY

Kaleb Henry is an award-winning sports reporter, covering collegiate athletics since 2014 via radio, podcasting, and digital journalism. His experience with Big Ten Conference teams goes back more than a decade, including time covering programs such as the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Oregon Ducks, and USC Trojans. He has contributed to Sports Illustrated since 2021. Kaleb has won multiple awards for his sports coverage from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association. Prior to working in sports journalism, Kaleb was a Division I athlete on the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Track and Field team where he discussed NCAA legislation as SIUE's representative to the Ohio Valley Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.