College football transfer portal: Where Damien Martinez could land in 2024

Star running back Damien Martinez will enter the college football transfer portal spring window. What schools are in the running to sign him this season?

Sep 23, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Oregon State Beavers running back Damien Martinez (6) / James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

One of college football's most talented running backs is set to change the transfer portal market this spring, as Damien Martinez has informed Oregon State he intends to leave the school and play elsewhere for the 2024 season. And when he does transfer, he'll have plenty of options with major schools looking to earn his commitment.

Many top-flight programs are in the market for a game-changing running back and are expected to be in contact with Martinez once the portal opens this month. What schools are in play to bring him on board ahead of this fall?

Kentucky

The Wildcats already brought in former Ohio State back Chip Trayanum to the backfield, but the Buckeyes have shown having two star backs is a viable path forward, and adding Martinez to the fold will help propel UK's ground game to another level as Mark Stoops looks to improve his offense.

Miami

Maybe no other big-time program needs a difference-making back more than the Hurricanes, who just lost second-leading rusher Henry Parrish to the portal, and Mario Cristobal's team has just three scholarship players at the position this spring after notable injuries, including to Mark Fletcher.

Ole Miss

Lane Kiffin signed what we call the No. 1 team in the 2024 transfer rankings already this offseason, but the loss of star back Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State leaves a notable hole at the position. By getting Martinez, the Rebels would basically replace Judkins' production and add another dimension to an offense that returns quarterback Jaxson Dart.

Tennessee

The Vols lost both Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright from the backfield, and though they return Dylan Sampson and Cameron Seldon, the unit is largely unproven. Tennessee would offer Martinez a likely immediate RB1 role on an offense that looks highly promising with quarterback Nico Iamaleava under center working with talented receivers.

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