“Michigan State football and Jonathan Smith have insider knowledge of Damien Martinez, the transfer portal's No. 2 RB”.

After Michigan State fired head coach Jonathan Smith from Oregon State, a migration of supporters from Corvallis to East Lansing followed.

It started with the coaching staff, when six of Smith's assistants came from Oregon State. Then three former Beaver players — quarterback Aidan Chiles, tight end Jack Velling and offensive lineman Tanner Miller — followed their coaches to the Midwest.

A fourth former Beaver will be available when the spring transfer portal window opens on April 16, and he could be the most impactful transfer of the group if Michigan State can sign him. Reports surfaced Tuesday that Oregon State junior running back Damien Martinez intended to enter the portal this spring, and the first-team All-Pac-12 selection confirmed that intention Wednesday.

While Michigan State has several good options at running back in Nate Carter, Jalen Berger, Jaren Mangham and others, it makes perfect sense for the Spartans to put a full squeeze on trying to sign Martinez this spring. The junior has extensive knowledge of the offensive system that Smith and offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren have brought to East Lansing, so he won't be behind at all despite completing spring practice with a different program. Martinez also played under new MSU running backs coach Keith Bhonapha the last two years, so he's familiar with all the news surrounding East Lansing.

A semifinalist for the 2023 Doak Walker Award, Martinez is one of the best tailbacks in the country. 247Sports lists the junior as the No. 2 running back in the transfer portal, behind only former Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins, who transferred to Ohio State. In two seasons at Oregon State, Martinez ran for 2,167 yards and 16 touchdowns on 355 carries (6.1 yards per carry). He added 187 yards on 15 receptions over the last two seasons.

The danger of adding through the portal is losing a player at the same position, but there is no better running back on Michigan State's roster than Martinez. Pairing the former Oregon State star with Carter would give the Spartans one of the best one-two punches at tailback in the entire Big Ten. MSU could lose Berger, Mangham or one of the younger running backs as a result, but it would be worth the risk to sign Martinez.

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