Damien Martinez transfer portal: Top 5 landing spots for Oregon State RB ft. Kentucky

Oregon State star running back Damien Martinez has entered the transfer portal. Martinez, who rushed for 2,167 yards in two years at OSU, figures to be a highly sought-after transfer. With his skills and experience, Martinez could be a plug-and-play candidate at most schools.

Here are five potential portal landing spots for Damien Martinez in 2024.

Top 5 Damien Martinez transfer portal landing spots

Miami and coach Mario Cristobal are one of the favorites to win the Damien Martinez transfer portal battle.

5. Ole Miss

Damien Martinez was originally slated to take a fifth visit to Tennessee, but that one fell apart. Here's an SEC alternative. Lane Kiffin and the Rebels are operating seriously in the transfer portal. The transfer of Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State opens up a spot.

Ole Miss isn't completely bereft of options and already has LSU transfer Logan Diggs coming in with returnee Ulysses Bentley IV. But Kiffin has acknowledged that he expects a running back move in the portal, and Martinez's physical style could do well in the SEC.

4. Arizona

Martinez's first stop out of the portal is Arizona. Jonah Coleman was a solid back a season ago for the Wildcats (871 rushing yards, five TDs), but he has transferred to Washington. Freshman Jordan Washington is promising, but Martinez can certainly hold the spot while Washington grows and matures.

New coach Brent Brennan would certainly benefit from another quality player at the running back position. Martinez could stay out west, transfer to a competitive team with an opening in the backfield and improve his NFL stock. The most prestigious placement for a visit is probably last and first, which makes it even more likely that Arizona has a shot.

3. Mississippi State

Under former coach Mike Leach, running the football at Mississippi State was a complete after-thought. The Bulldogs picked up the ground game a bit last season, but new coach Jeff Lebby will look to add even more balance. Top running back Jo'Quavious Marks transferred to USC, and the spot is open for taking.

Martinez is clearly interested in State, as it's one of the four visits he currently has scheduled. Of the teams on his list, MSU is perhaps the one with the least resistance offered to immediate playing time. Martinez is good enough to see the field almost anywhere, but at State, he would be the ground game. That could matter in the end.

2. Miami

The Hurricanes are definitely interested in Martinez, and in his list of four scheduled visits, he has Miami set for last. That's generally a good sign for an interested team. Mario Cristobal is trying to get his program turned forward, and there's reason to think Martinez would play early.

Miami had a decent ground attack last season but lost top returning rusher Henry Parrish Jr. (625 yards, 6 TDs) to the transfer portal. That said, sophomores Mark Fletcher Jr. (514 yards, 5 TDs) and Ajay Allen (361 yards, 5 TDs) each showed flashes of excellence a year ago. It's hard for a veteran to battle a pair of younger players, but that issue aside, Miami could be a great fit for Martinez.

1. Kentucky

The Wildcats have had a run of 1,000-yard rushers in recent seasons, with Benny Snell, Lynn Bowden, Chris Rodriguez and Ray Davis all accomplishing the feat. But with Davis' entry to the NFL draft, the Wildcats are a bit thin in the backfield. Ohio State transfer Chip Trayanum will certainly see some time, but Damien Martinez could pair nicely with Trayanum.

Kentucky's offense has demonstrated an ability to open up opportunities for running backs, and with Trayanum as its top option otherwise, Martinez could almost bank on instant playing time in Lexington. He's a good fit style-wise with Mark Stoops and his ground-and-pound tendencies. Don't be surprised if Martinez, who plans to visit Kentucky, ends up a Wildcat.

Where do you think the Damien Martinez transfer portal drama ends up? We'd love to hear your thoughts below in the comments section!