Miami Dolphins taking a closer look at two Miami Hurricanes as the road to the NFL Draft hits the home stretch
Former Miami Hurricanes RB Damien Martinez and WR Xavier Restrepo starred on the Hard Rock Stadium surface just months ago. It appears there could be a growing chance that one – or who knows, maybe both – end up continuing their career playing home games inside the South Florida facility. Per the Instagram accounts of […]
Former Miami Hurricanes RB Damien Martinez and WR Xavier Restrepo starred on the Hard Rock Stadium surface just months ago. It appears there could be a growing chance that one – or who knows, maybe both – end up continuing their career playing home games inside the South Florida facility.
Per the Instagram accounts of both players, they're visiting with the Miami Dolphins on Thursday, just two weeks from the start of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Martinez and Restrepo, along with likely first overall pick Cam Ward, spearheaded one of the best offenses in college football last year, as the Canes' offense averaged 43.9 points per game, tops in FBS.
Restrepo had a particularly memorable year for the Hurricanes. He led the ACC in receiving yards (1127) and receiving touchdowns (11) on the way to AP first-team All-American honors. He also set the school record for catches (200), receiving yards (2844), and touchdowns (21). His route running, quickness, and hands should see him go in the second day of the draft.
Martinez, who totaled 1002 yards and 10 TDs on the ground last year for the Canes, seems like a natural fit for Miami given the makeup of their running back room. With De'Von Achane and Jaylen Wright leading the way, the Dolphins could use some thunder and pop from the group. They got that, in theory, with the free agent signing of Alexander Mattison, but Martinez appears to be on another level. With good speed (4.51) to go with a punishing running style, Martinez could be the short yardage runner and change of pace hammer the Dolphins have simply lacked, particularly since they parted ways with Chris Brooks last year.
It's never a bad idea to consider highly talented and productive players from one's backyard, and there's little doubt the Dolphins should have both players on their radar when they're on the clock on Day Two of the draft.
Miami Dolphins draft crushes: Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott
The former Vol was a disruptive force in the passing game
