The Oregon State Beavers are reportedly about to lose yet another key offensive player via the transfer portal.
Star quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei has already transferred from Oregon State to the Florida State Seminoles. On top of that, star offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga is NFL-bound, as he’s expected to be a top-20 pick in the first round of the 2024 Draft.
Now, Jake Hedberg of 247Sports reports that star running back Damien Martinez is planning to enter the transfer portal after two seasons in Oregon State:
“Multiple sources have indicated to BeaverBlitz that star Oregon State All-American running back Damien Martinez intends to enter the transfer portal when it opens next week…
The anticipated loss of Martinez is without a doubt the biggest loss Oregon State has seen this offseason. OSU now only has three scholarship backs on campus for Spring Ball, as Jam Griffin, Anthony Hankerson and Isaiah Newell remain.”
The 6-foot-tall, 232-pound Martinez rushed for 1,185 yards and nine touchdowns to go along with 126 receiving yards in his second season at Oregon State. In his first year of college football, Martinez rushed for 982 yards and seven touchdowns.
Also Read: College Football Quarterback Enters Transfer Portal As He Looks To Switch Schools For The 5th Time
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Aside from losing Uiagalelei, Fuaga and presumably Martinez next, the Beavers will also have a brand new coaching staff in 2024.
Head coach Jonathan Smith left for the Michigan State Spartans’ job, and he took several assistants with him there, including offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren and assistant HC/RBs coach Keith Bhonapha.
Trent Bray, an assistant under Smith’s staff since 2018, was named the new head coach of Oregon State. Ryan Gunderson and Keith Heyward will serve as the offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator under Bray, respectively.
Oregon State Aims To Build Off Another Strong Season
The Beavers jumped out to an impressive 8-2 start in 2023, before falling to No. 5 ranked Washington and No. 6 ranked Oregon to finish out the regular season. The Beavers’ season ended with a loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Sun Bowl.
It’s going to be awfully difficult for Oregon State to repeat last season’s success without all the aforementioned player and coach departures. But Smith built a nice foundation here before leaving for the Spartans, and Bray should be able to keep his club competitive as they move into a new era of Beavers football.
