Oregon State operating again Damien Martinez intends to enter the school 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 will probably be rated because the No. 2 operating 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 Group honors as a sophomore whereas pacing an underrated Oregon State offense. With Martinez gone, Oregon State is down to 3 scholarship operating 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 go away, 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 position 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 never had talks about leaving in any respect even with all the teaching stuff taking place. 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 needed to be right here.”

Nonetheless, the final calendar yr introduced unprecedented change for Oregon State and Washington State after each have been not noted 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, virtually 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 dearth of expertise could have confirmed regarding for Martinez as he enters an all-important third season. 

The place may Martinez go

Martinez instantly establishes himself as among the finest rushers within the switch portal and doubtlessly one of the best participant out there. Listed at 6-feet and 232 kilos, he boasts a bodily operating model that ought to translate to virtually any college or convention. 

Following Smith to Michigan State may very well be a sexy selection for Martinez. It could enable him to remain in an identical 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 vast receivers coach Emmett Jones led the cost as his lead recruiter at Kansas out of highschool, and OU may use some assist on the place after younger gamers struggled to remain wholesome in 2023. 

Alternatively, Martinez may look to the “Portal King” Lane Kiffin. The Rebels misplaced star Quinshon Judkins on the operating again place. They have been tied to Miami switch Henry Parrish, however Martinez can be a fair greater get. 

Different faculties with operating again as a necessity in the course of the second switch portal window embrace Tennessee and Mississippi State.