The New York Jets signed Birmingham Stallions quarterback Adrian Martinez on Saturday. The Stallions will retain Martinez’s rights should he decide to return to the UFL.
Adrian Martinez is six foot one and weighs 221 pounds. The 24-year-old from Fresno, California, signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2023. In 2023, Martinez completed 9 of 18 passes (50%) for 76 yards, ten carries for 24 yards, and one touchdown in two preseason games for the Detroit Lions in 2023.
The New Jersey Generals drafted Martinez in the second round (15th pick) of the 2023 USFL Collegiate Draft. However, the Generals were not included in the USFL and XFL merger forming the United Football League making him a free agent. Then, the Birmingham Stallions signed Martinez on December 24, 2023.
In 2024, Martinez completed 134 of 229 passes (59%) for 1,749 yards, 15 touchdowns, three interceptions, 54 carries for 528 yards, and three touchdowns in 10 games.
In the USFL Conference Championship Game against the Michigan Panthers, Martinez completed 10 of 19 passes (53%) for 164 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and four carries for eight yards. Martinez was named the 2024 UFL Most Valuable Player.
In the 2024 UFL Championship Game against the San Antonio Brahmas, Martinez completed 13 of 23 passes (57%) for 98 yards, one touchdown, 11 carries for 52 yards, and two touchdowns leading the Stallions to a 25-0 win. It was Birmingham’s third consecutive championship (2 USFL, 1 UFL). Martinez was named the UFL Championship Game MVP.
Collegiately, Martinez played four seasons at Nebraska (2018-21) completing 670 of 1,055 passes (63.5%) for 8,491 yards, 45 touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 508 carries for 2,301 yards, and 35 touchdowns in 39 games for the Cornhuskers. He was a three-time Team Captain, and an All-Big 10 Honorable Mention in 2018 by the coaches and media, and in 2021 by the coaches.
Then, he transferred to Kansas State in 2022 completing 12 of 19 passes (63%) for 116 yards, one touchdown, 14 carries for 183 yards, and three touchdowns in two games for the Wildcats.
