Ohio State’s Cameron Martinez to enter the transfer portal

Ohio State will lose a second player to the transfer portal before the offseason begins. Defensive back Cameron Martinez is set to enter the transfer portal when it opens on Monday, according to Jeremey Birmingham of Rivals/Dotting The I.

A four-year player for the Buckeyes, Martinez played in 29 games, making two career starts. He managed 38 total tackles, four passes defended, one interception, one touchdown and half a tackle for a loss. During his Scarlet and Gray career, Martinez was named an OSU Scholar-Athlete and an Academic all-Big Ten Conference honoree.

The first window for this offseason’s FBS transfer portal begins on Monday and will remain open until Tuesday, Jan. 2. Players can officially enter the portal beginning on Monday, and teams may begin contacting them at that point. There is an exception if a coach leaves the program or is fired. A player may then enter the portal immediately.

Martinez was a four-star prospect coming out of Muskegon High School in Muskegon, Michigan. He was ranked the No. 14 best athlete and No. 7 player in his home state in the 2020 recruiting class by the 247Sports Composite. Martinez originally committed to Ohio State in July of 2019 but elected to wait to make things official during the early signing period after co-defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley left to take the head coaching job at Boston College. Once Kerry Coombs was named the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator, Martinez re-committed and signed with the Scarlet and Gray on national signing day.

As a freshman in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Martinez played on special teams in two of Ohio State’s nine games, including in the national championship game against Alabama. As a redshirt freshman the following year, Martinez saw his role increase, getting on the field in nine games at safety for the Buckeyes and recording 13 total tackles, four passes defended, his long career interception, which he returned for a touchdown, and half a tackle for a loss.

Martinez played in 12 games in 2022 on a defense undergoing a transition under first-year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. The safety managed just 15 tackles as a redshirt sophomore. This season, Martinez was used sparingly, playing in just four games and recording two total tackles.

While the Scarlet and Gray will lose a versatile athlete in Martinez, the safety position room, particularly his nickel position, is well covered. According to Birmingham, Martinez, who played quarterback in high school, is open to playing on either side of the ball at his new program. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Martinez is the second Ohio State who will enter the transfer portal. Defensive end Omari Abor will also look for greener pastures beginning on Monday.