If Cam Ward was the headliner of the winter Portal season, the prize of the spring was Oregon State RB Damien Martinez. The junior, who ran for 1,185 yards (6.1 ypc) and 9 TDs last season, gives Miami a true 230+ pound franchise back who can punish light boxes designed to stop Ward. Martinez joined the CanesInSight Podcast for his first interview since joining the Canes:
On his transition to Miami: It's been smooth. Getting ready to compete with the team and training. I can't train with the team until next month because I'm still doing classes online. I’ve been training through my agency. Just getting everything set.
On why he chose to join Miami: Just proving I'm the best. The opportunity presented itself here. With Cam Ward and [Xavier] Restrepo and the receivers on the edge, [Jacolby] George, it's gonna be nice. It’s gonna be explosive. It's really what I was ready to get into. Mark [Fletcher], he's getting back, so ready to work with him and all the other backs. I'll be the oldest in the room this time, which is completely new from Oregon State, where I was the youngest. I’ve got a lot of experience and I'm ready to show these guys how it's done.
On Miami’s coaching staff: They were pushing hard from the beginning. They did two in-home visits. They really connected, getting to know me even outside of football. I'm just ready to get to work with them because they made it real genuine. Everything they presented on the field was just as good as everything was off the field.
On his athletic background: I’ve played football since I was four. In Texas, it's a big thing, even high school football. Football has always been my thing. Running back, especially.
My coaches taught us from a young age, “We're not preparing you for high school, we're preparing you for college and NFL.” Looking at it now, that’s what they really did. It’s the same intensity I run with, from Peewee to now.
On running backs he emulates: Adrian Peterson and Le'Veon Bell. I liked those two growing up. Right now, I probably watch more of Josh Jacobs.
On areas he’s looking to improve: Being more of a threat without the ball. Being a pass protector and also catching out of the backfield. Everybody can run the ball in the league. That's why they're there. But you wanna be able to separate yourself.
I think I’ll be able to catch the ball out of the backfield here, especially with Cam. Looking at his stats, he threw the ball to the running back.
On Miami’s running game next year: It’s a great balance. It's gonna be explosive with the other guys in the room. Chris Johnson is one of the fastest dudes I've seen. He’s definitely a change of pace back. I still gotta get close and learn more of the other guys. But it's definitely gonna be nice.
On the new NCAA Football video game: I opted in. Hopefully, they change the roster and everything goes as it's supposed to. I'm going to take the ratings they give me, but they're supposed to update the stats through the season. So I'll show them and it'll be where it's supposed to be.
On his relationship with Frank Gore: I met Frank plenty of times. The place I'm working now, him and his son come there whenever they're in town. He's a good guy.
He’s telling me he wants me to work hard, wants to see me succeed. He pushes me. He pushes himself, too. He's a hard worker even now. So, yeah, he's a good dude.
