{"id":225450,"date":"2025-03-30T10:45:12","date_gmt":"2025-03-30T14:45:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=225450"},"modified":"2025-03-29T16:23:27","modified_gmt":"2025-03-29T20:23:27","slug":"colts-should-consider-drafting-damien-martinez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/03\/30\/colts-should-consider-drafting-damien-martinez\/","title":{"rendered":"Colts Should Consider This Potential Day 3 Running Back"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over the years, the Indianapolis Colts have drafted a few players from the University of Miami. Edgerrin James, Reggie Wayne, and Will Mallory<\/a> come to mind. Is Damien Martinez next?<\/p>\n

The Colts need depth at the running back position. That\u2019s what Martinez would provide for the team. No, he isn\u2019t projected to be a star like probable first-round pick Ashton Jeanty<\/a>. But Martinez, who\u2019s expected to be a fourth or fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, could become a valuable contributor as a pro.<\/p>\n

The Indianapolis Colts Should Consider Taking Miami Running Back Damien Martinez in the 2025 NFL Draft<\/h2>\n

His Collegiate Career<\/h3>\n

Damien Martinez starred for Lewisville High School in Lewisville, Texas. He rushed for 4,341 yards and 66 touchdowns during his time at the school. He then committed to play college football at Oregon State, passing up schools like Kansas, San Diego State, Georgia Tech, and Texas State.<\/p>\n

Martinez had a great debut season at Oregon State, rushing for 982 yards and seven touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 61 yards. As a result, he was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and was a member of the All-Pac-12 first team.<\/p>\n

Martinez was spectacular during his sophomore year as well. He rushed for 1,185 yards and nine touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 126 yards. He received first-team All-Pac-12 honors once again.<\/p>\n

Following two years at Oregon State, Martinez transferred to the University of Miami in April 2024. This past season with the Hurricanes, he recorded 1,002 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, 10 receptions, and a career-high 204 receiving yards.<\/p>\n

Martinez was the first Miami player<\/a> to produce at least 1,000 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in the same season since Mark Walton did so in 2016. That\u2019s impressive, seeing that Martinez split time with Mark Fletcher in the backfield.<\/p>\n

During this season\u2019s Pop-Tarts Bowl<\/a>, Martinez rushed for a career-high 179 yards although Miami lost the game 42-41 to Iowa State. He later announced he would skip his senior year and enter the NFL draft.<\/p>\n