Oregon State RB transfer Damien Martinez commits to Miami

Kentucky entered the tailback transfer market soon after the spring transfer portal window on April 15. The Wildcats quickly reached out to Oregon State transfer Damien Martinez and got an official visit scheduled with the All-Pac 12 selection. Unfortunately, that changed quickly.

Miami was always seen as the favorite for Damien Martinez. After receiving an in-home visit from the Hurricanes’ coaching staff, the tailback with two years of eligibility canceled his visit to Lexington. The Texas native visited Miami over the weekend and gave Mario Cristobal‘s program a commitment before leaving South Florida.

As a true freshman, Martinez became RB1 in Corvallis rushing for 982 yards and seven touchdowns. The rookie tailback earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors after the season. Martinez’s rookie season was highlighted by six consecutive 100-yard rushing performances in conference play.

The production remained excellent on a heavier workload as a sophomore in 2023.

Damien Martinez finished second in the Pac-12 in rushing yards per game (98.75) and was one of 35 tailbacks in college football to log at least 194 carries. The Lonestar State native recorded six 100-yard games in 12 starts and scored four touchdowns in a 62-17 win over Stanford in November. The sophomore would again earn first-team All-Pac-12 honors.

In two seasons, Martinez has accumulated 2,167 rushing yards (355 carries) on 6.1 yards per rush with 16 touchdowns. The true junior is one of the most productive running backs returning to college football in 2024.

Soon after Damien Martinez canceled his Kentucky visit, the program hosted Louisville transfer Peny Boone for an official visit. Kentucky is currently considered the favorite to land the 2023 MAC Offensive Player of the Year.

Rene Konga commits to Louisville

Damien Martinez was not the only Kentucky transfer portal target to come off the board this weekend. Rutgers defensive lineman Rene Konga visited both Kentucky and Louisville after entering the portal. the Big Ten transfer shut down his recruitment on Friday.

Konga is heading to Louisville after recording eight tackles in 10 games for the Scarlet Knights last season.

Kentucky got on the board when Michigan cornerback transfer DJ Waller Jr. committed to the Wildcats on Saturday, but the board is starting to thin. The spring transfer portal window closes on Tuesday, April 30.