Miami’s got talent coming and going, that’s for sure. Take Carson Beck—he did a whole 180 on the NFL this year, and instead of heading back to the Georgia Bulldogs, he decided to soak up his last college chapter down in Miami. He bounced on Kirby Smart for Mario Cristobal, making a splashy $4 million move. But while Cristobal was still probably stoked about landing Beck, he took a hit. Those three crazy days of the NFL Draft saw seven Miami guys get snatched up. Yeah, it’s got to be a tough goodbye for the Hurricanes fam. But at the same time, you know Cristobal’s chest is puffed out with pride, especially when he’s talking about that 21-year-old star the Seattle Seahawks just grabbed. Looks like Seattle’s head coach Mike Macdonald and GM John Schneider think they found a key piece.

The Canes have now produced 369 all-time draft selections—most in the ACC—including 66 first-round picks. Well, some narratives had been reining in Cristobal’s squad for quite some time now. For instance, their ex-quarterback Cam Ward landed as the top pick. Yes, it went as planned. Ward heard his name being called first and went off as the No.1 overall to the Tennessee Titans. And with this, Ward became the 66th first-rounder this season. Was that all for Cristobal to feel proud about? Of course not. Ward was one of seven Canes drafted—the most for Miami since 2017.

On April 25, Cristobal’s former tight end, Elijah Arroyo, was selected by Seattle in the second round with the 50th overall pick. And one by one, Cristobal’s boys started to take off. The Cincinnati Bengals selected offensive lineman Jalen Rivers, and the New England Patriots picked kicker Andres Borregales. Finally, running back Damien Martinez’s turn came, and he got drafted by the Seahawks. And as soon as the news came, the head coach could no longer keep calm.

Mario Cristobal took to X to send a message on how Martinez has been a steal deal for Seattle. He wrote, “Seahawks add a GAMECHANGER! Will run thru you, over you, right by you and Set the tone with how he plays the game, with or without the ball in his hands. He’s an Olineman’s best friend! 2 Canes in the PNW…#Cane4Life #GoCanes @CanesFootball.” Martinez transferred to Miami in 2024 after playing two seasons for Oregon State. In his single season under Cristobal, the running back came off with flying colors.

He racked up 1002 yards along with 10 touchdowns, and with this, he became Miami’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2016. Back at Oregon State, Martinez rushed for 1,185 yards and nine touchdowns for the Beavers in 2023. Plus, he averaged 4.46 yards per carry after contact in 2024, second in the class’s running backs cohort behind only former Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. So, what makes him the best fit for McDonald’s squad?

The Seattle Seahawks struggled at Lumen Field in the 2024 season, experiencing their worst home record since 2008 with a 3-6 record. Their offensive line struggles are a common sight and have continued since 2010. No offensive lineman drafted by the Seahawks since they got left tackle Russell Okung has been named to a Pro Bowl. So, the major problem has been the drafting issue. Meanwhile, Martinez has already tapped into the beast mode, pairing up with his Canes buddy.

Why are the Seahawks banking on Damien Martinez? 

Cristobal’s running back did not wait for others to raise his ceiling. Rather, he himself did the honors. He was asked to describe his running style. And Martinez ended up comparing himself to former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch. The Miami running back declared, “A physical runner. We’ve got another Beast Mode 2.0 coming up there. Get ready to see it.” Now, what might be the reason behind Martinez’s towering confidence? 

He has been a productive three-year starter with an impressive blend of power, dexterity, and decisiveness. Standing at 6’0″ and weighing 217 pounds, Martinez is known for his physical running style and for having plenty of production. It will now be easier for him in Seattle, as the Seahawks landed his old mate, tight end Arroyo. But Macdonald must count on Martinez more to prove himself as a reliable and durable back, handling a significant workload without major injuries.

“Just being able to play without the ba- -, and then, for sure being a better pass protector, pass catcher out of the backfield. Everybody can run the ball, but in today’s league especially to a three-down back, or two-down back, you have to be able to do it all,” he said. Now, this confidence is going to work wonders given the competition in Seattle’s camp. He is likely to face formidable challenges from seasoned players like Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh, and George Holani. It’s now time for Martinez to unleash his “Beast Mode 2.0.”