Adrian Martinez Bio
Adrian Martinez is an American professional football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In 2024, he led the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL), earning multiple awards including league MVP, UFL Championship Game MVP, and a UFL title. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 220 pounds, Martinez is recognized as a dual-threat quarterback capable of making plays through the air and on the ground.
Early Life and Background
Adrian Martinez was born on January 7, 2000, in Hanford, California. He grew up in the Central Valley and attended Clovis West High School in Fresno, where he played both football and basketball. A torn labrum suffered while playing basketball forced him to miss his entire senior football season, but his junior year had already established him as a premier prospect. As a junior, he was named the Fresno Bee football player of the year after passing for 2,562 yards with 25 touchdowns and rushing for 1,462 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Martinez was rated a four-star recruit and ranked as the seventh-best dual-threat quarterback in the 2018 class by the 247Sports Composite. He originally committed to play at the University of California, Berkeley, and later the University of Tennessee, before ultimately choosing the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. His blend of passing ability and running instincts made him one of the most sought-after high school quarterbacks in the country.
Path to American Football
Martinez’s path to professional football began when first-year Nebraska head coach Scott Frost named him the starting quarterback ahead of the 2018 season opener, making him the first true freshman in program history to start an opening game. He made an immediate impact against Colorado, throwing for 187 yards and a touchdown while adding 117 rushing yards and two scores on the ground, despite the loss. A knee injury cut his debut game short, but his play established him as a cornerstone of Nebraska’s offense.
After a redshirt junior season at Nebraska in 2021, Martinez entered the transfer portal in December 2021 with one year of eligibility remaining. He committed to Kansas State, where he split time with Will Howard in 2022 and contributed to a 10–4 Wildcats season that included a Big 12 Championship. His performance across both programs cemented his status as a dynamic college quarterback ready for the professional ranks.
Adrian Martinez Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Martinez’s college career began with a strong freshman season at Nebraska in 2018, finishing with 2,617 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, and eight interceptions, along with 629 rushing yards and eight rushing scores. He was named Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week after leading the Cornhuskers to their first win of the year against Minnesota. His dual-threat production placed him sixth in the Big Ten in passing yards and total touchdowns during his debut campaign.
Following a difficult sophomore year and a shortened junior season in 2020 impacted by injury, Martinez closed his Nebraska career in 2021 with 2,867 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions across 11 games. He transferred to Kansas State for his final collegiate season, where he tallied 1,261 passing yards and six passing touchdowns to go with 627 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores. The Wildcats’ quarterback tandem helped guide the program to a Big 12 Championship.
NFL Debut and UFL Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Martinez entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Detroit Lions on May 12, 2023. He was waived at the end of training camp in late August, but did not stay out of football long. On December 24, 2023, he joined the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL, beginning the most productive stretch of his professional career. The move to the spring league gave Martinez a chance to refine his skills as a starter and showcase his dual-threat ability on a consistent basis.
In 2024, Martinez emerged as one of the UFL’s top performers, completing 134 passes for 1,750 yards, 15 touchdowns, and three interceptions across 10 appearances, while adding 530 rushing yards and three scores on 54 carries. He was named to the All-UFL team on June 5 and earned league MVP honors on June 10. After leading the Stallions to a title, he was named UFL Championship Game MVP on June 16, completing a remarkable spring campaign.
New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers Era (2024–Present)
On July 27, 2024, Martinez signed with the New York Jets, but was waived on August 27 before being re-signed to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets on January 6, 2025, only to be waived again in late August. His first NFL regular-season action came after signing with the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad on August 27, 2025, and being promoted to the active roster on October 2 amid injuries to Brock Purdy and Mac Jones. On November 2, Martinez took a knee for the final play in Week 9 against the New York Giants, marking his first official NFL snap.
His tenure in San Francisco has featured several moves between the active roster and the practice squad. He was waived on November 15 following Purdy’s return, re-signed to the practice squad on November 18, and released again on December 9. After a brief return to the Jets’ practice squad in December 2025, Martinez was re-signed to the 49ers’ practice squad on December 17. On January 20, 2026, he signed a reserve/futures contract with San Francisco, solidifying his place in the organization.
Notable Events and Milestones
Martinez’s signature professional moment came in 2024 with the Birmingham Stallions, when he earned UFL MVP, Championship Game MVP, and All-UFL honors while leading the league in rushing yards. He also became the first Nebraska true freshman to begin a season as the starting quarterback, a milestone that signaled his arrival on a major stage. His first NFL snap in November 2025 was another landmark moment, reflecting his perseverance through multiple practice squad moves.
Adrian Martinez Career Wins
Across the UFL, college, and professional levels, Martinez has built a résumé highlighted by team success and individual awards. His 2024 UFL Championship with the Birmingham Stallions stands as the centerpiece of his trophy collection, complemented by league and championship MVP honors.
UFL Highlights
Martinez was a driving force behind Birmingham’s 2024 UFL Championship run, combining accurate downfield passing with punishing rushing production. His 530 rushing yards led the league, and his 15 passing touchdowns helped anchor one of the UFL’s most balanced offenses. In the championship game, he delivered the performance that earned him MVP honors and cemented his status as a top spring-league talent.
Other Wins and Performances
At Kansas State, Martinez played a key role in the Wildcats’ 2022 Big 12 Championship and 10-win season, with standout rushing performances against Oklahoma and Texas Tech. His freshman-year victory at Nebraska against Minnesota produced his first college win and a Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week award, setting the tone for the rest of his career.
Adrian Martinez Family
Personal Life
Martinez keeps much of his personal life private, and public details about his family, parents, spouse, or children are not widely available. He grew up in California’s Central Valley, where he developed into one of the region’s most decorated high school quarterbacks. His journey from Hanford, California, to the NFL reflects years of dedication to his craft and a strong support network in his hometown community.
2025 Season Performance
Martinez’s 2025 season was defined by movement between practice squads and active rosters, as teams dealt with quarterback injuries throughout the year. He spent time with both the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers, ultimately appearing in one NFL game after being promoted to San Francisco’s active roster. His lone snap came in Week 9 against the New York Giants, a small but meaningful step in his professional development.
While his 2025 regular-season statistical impact was limited, Martinez remained ready as a practice squad elevation for the Jets in Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. His ability to stay prepared and quickly step into elevated roles caught the attention of coaching staffs, particularly in San Francisco. The 49ers’ decision to bring him back multiple times highlighted their confidence in his readiness and football intelligence.
Entering 2026 under a reserve/futures contract with San Francisco, Martinez has positioned himself as a reliable depth option at quarterback. His experience as a starter in the UFL and his comfort in offensive systems could translate into expanded opportunities moving forward. The coming seasons will be critical in determining whether he can earn a sustained role on an NFL active roster.
