Damien Martinez’s rise from a promising freshman at Oregon State to a standout at Miami culminated in an unexpected, yet highly praised, selection by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. NFL analyst Field Yates called it a “steal,” applauding the Seahawks for capitalizing on Martinez’s impressive production and potential.
Standing tall at 6’0″ and weighing in at 217 pounds, Martinez has been a powerhouse on every field he’s played. His 2024 season at Miami saw him eclipse 1,000 rushing yards for the third time in his career, alongside 10 touchdowns, solidifying his place as one of the nation’s most consistent backs. At Oregon State, he racked up an astonishing 2,167 yards and 16 touchdowns over two seasons, averaging 6.1 yards per carry, earning him back-to-back First-Team All Pac-12 honors and the coveted Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year title.
Though Miami’s offense often revolved around No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, Martinez still made his mark as a dynamic pass-catcher. In 2024, he snagged 17 passes for 204 yards, quieting the skeptics who had doubted his receiving ability. At Oregon State, his pass-catching numbers were more modest—15 receptions for 187 yards—but last season he showed he could do much more than just rush the ball.
Yet, despite his talent and versatility, Martinez’s draft stock fell, and he was selected much later than expected—well into the seventh round. The running back class was packed, with talented backs like Ollie Gordon II from Oklahoma State, Cam Skattebo from Arizona State, and Dylan Sampson from Tennessee all picked ahead of him. However, that just made the pick even sweeter for Seattle, who recognized Martinez’s unique blend of power, speed, and agility as a hidden gem.
This marks the third time in recent years that Seattle has drafted a Miami running back, following DeeJay Dallas in 2020 (144th overall) and Travis Homer in 2019 (204th overall). The Seahawks clearly know a thing or two about the potential of Miami backs—and they’re hoping Martinez’s journey to the NFL will be nothing short of spectacular.
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