Oregon State RB Damien Martinez Selected To Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List

By 750 The Game Staff

Big things are expected from Beavers sophomore tailback Damien Martinez this season.

The reigning Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year was named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list on Thursday, an award given annually to the country’s top collegiate offensive player who has ties to the state of Texas.

Martinez, a native of Lewisville, Tex., rushed for 982 yards in his first season in Corvallis, the majority of which came from a stretch of six-straight games of 100-yards or more rushing that helped the Beavers to their first 10-win season since 2006.

Martinez nearly eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark, but an injury early in the OSU win over Florida in the Las Vegas Bowl cut his chance short.

More from the Oregon State press release.

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State running back Damien Martinez added to his preseason honors Thursday when the sophomore was named to the watch list for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award.

The award is given annually to the nation’s top collegiate offensive player who has ties to the state of Texas. Nominees can have played at a Texas high school or junior college, been born in the state or play collegiately at an FBS program there.

The selection is his third watch list of the preseason. Martinez has also been chosen to the watch lists of the Doak Walker and Maxwell Awards. He was also a preseason All-Pac-12 selection by the conference’s media.

Martinez, a Lewisville, Texas native, rushed for 982 yards for the Beavers in 2022, earning the Pac-12’s Freshman Offensive Player of the Year. He was named a Freshman All-American by The Athletic, College Football News and 247 Sports. He was also a three-time Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award weekly honorable mention selection.

It’s the second time Martinez is on the award’s preseason watch list.

The Beavers open the 2023 season Sept. 3 when visiting San Jose State. Kickoff is slated for 12:30 p.m. PT and it will air on CBS.

A look at Oregon State players on preseason watch lists: 

Akili Arnold – Wuerrfel Trophy

Anthony Gould – Hornung Award

Joshua Gray – Outland Trophy

Taliese Fuaga – Lombardi Award

Taliese Fuaga – Outland Trophy

Taliese Fuaga – Polynesian Player of the Year

Jake Levengood – Rimington Trophy

Sione Lolohea – Polynesian Player of the Year

Damien Martinez – Doak Walker Award

Damien Martinez – Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award

Damien Martinez – Maxwell Award

Kitan Oladapo – Bednarik Award

Kitan Oladapo – Nagurski Trophy

DJ Uiagalelei – Polynesian Player of the Year

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