Star RB Damien Martinez to enter college football transfer portal

The college football transfer portal finds another talented running back looking for a new school ahead of the 2024 season and spring transfer window.

Sep 9, 2023; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers running back Damien Martinez (6) runs the ball. / Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

In the days before the spring transfer window is set to open up, the college football transfer portal market finds the addition of a skilled running back as former Oregon State rusher Damien Martinez will look for a new school to play for in the 2024 season, according to 247Sports.

Martinez was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection a year ago and emerged as s semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, given to the best tailback in college football every season.

His decision to depart the Beavers program comes after it appeared he would be interested in remaining at the school, which was one of two remaining after the Pac-12 lost most of its membership to the recent conference realignment moves. Washington State was the other.

Martinez ran for 982 yards off 161 attempts in 13 games during his first season at Oregon State, posting 6.1 yards per carry and scoring seven touchdowns on the ground.

Related: College football set to OK new transfer rule

Last season, the former three-star prospect from Texas scored nine times while covering 1,185 yards on the ground and averaging 98.8 yards per game rushing.

Insiders report that Martinez was set to make an estimated $400,000 in NIL revenue to play at Oregon State this coming season.

Martinez is one of two notable backs to move into the transfer portal in recent days, as former Ohio State rusher Dallan Hayden will also search out a new school for this coming season.

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