How Damien Martinez made UM’s Mark Fletcher Jr. a better running back

CORAL GABLES Mark Fletcher Jr.

spent one season working with Damien Martinez after the latter running back transferred to Miami before the 2024 season.

Martinez racked up 1,000 rushing yards for the Hurricanes last year before declaring for the draft.

But he left a lasting impact on his backfield partner.

Really just working on my patience, the art of being a running back, Fletcher said.

You watch Damiens film, hes a very patient runner.

That was just something to add on to my game.

Im just taking little things like that and just adding it onto mine.

After two seasons as a complementary running back, Fletcher is now expected to be the feature running back and carry the load for UM.

This year, I just want to take off as much as I can and do better than I did last year, for sure, Fletcher said.

Fletcher has been a key complementary running back in his first two seasons.

After arriving as a touted prospect from local powerhouse American Heritage, Fletcher teamed with Henry Parrish Jr.

as a freshman.

He notched 514 yards with five touchdowns on 105 carries.

After recovering from his foot injury last year, Fletcher made for a dynamic duo with Martinez.

Fletchers carries stayed roughly the same (he had 112 rush attempts) but he racked up 607 yards and nine scores.

This year, Fletcher said he does not have any personal goals for himself.

He just wants to win.

Ive never been that way, to have personal goals, Fletcher said.

I know that might sound weird, but I just want to win.

Personal goal, I can say, is just to help our team in any way, shape or form.

Now Fletcher is the veteran and there are younger running backs working under him.

Fellow Broward County native Jordan Lyle showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman last year, rushing for 400 yards and four touchdowns on 54 carries.

Miami also added Girard Pringle Jr., a four-star freshman.

Ive been here, Fletcher said.

Just seeing the ins and outs.

My college career, my career is a little crazy up and down.

So any way I can give back to them ...

just to help them any way I can, thats what Im here to do.

Fletcher and Lyle have known each other for years, dating back to when they played on the same Optimist team.

Weve been locked in since we were babies, Fletcher said.

Its just working out real well now.

Pringle is the newcomer in the running back room, and he has already impressed the veteran Fletcher.

That boys like lightning, Fletcher said.

Super fast.

He will work on his patience, but hes just hungry, ready to work, very humble.

Surprisingly, this is Fletchers first spring camp with Miami.

He did not enroll early for the spring as a freshman in 2023.

In 2024, he was recuperating from a foot injury while his teammates were practicing.

Its a blessing, Fletcher said.

This is my first spring in college football.

In three years, this is my first one.

Im just blessed to be here..

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