AM #4

Adrian Martinez

Quarterback · Kansas State

The first true freshman starting quarterback in Nebraska history, later a UFL champion and MVP, now on San Francisco's roster chasing a real NFL shot.

Adrian Martinez has lived a football life full of detours: a record-setting freshman debut at Nebraska, a late transfer to Kansas State that ended in a Big 12 title, and a dominant UFL season with the Birmingham Stallions that reminded everyone he can still play. He has yet to throw a real NFL pass, but he is on San Francisco's roster after finally getting his first NFL game action in 2025.

★ UFL MVP and championship game MVP, 2024

★ Big 12 Champion, Kansas State, 2022

★ First true freshman starting QB in Nebraska history, 2018

Path to the league

Martinez, born in Hanford, California, and raised in Fresno, became the first true freshman to start at quarterback in Nebraska history in 2018. After four seasons with the Cornhuskers he transferred to Kansas State for 2022, then went undrafted in 2023 and signed with the Detroit Lions.

Career highlights

At Kansas State, Martinez split time with Will Howard and helped the Wildcats to a 10-4 record and a Big 12 Championship. His breakout moment came in the UFL in 2024 with the Birmingham Stallions, where he threw for 1,750 yards and 15 touchdowns, added 530 rushing yards and three scores, and was named UFL MVP, championship game MVP and an All-UFL selection while leading Birmingham to the title.

2025 season recap

Martinez signed with San Francisco's practice squad in late August 2025 and was promoted to the active roster on October 2. He played his first NFL snap on November 2 against the New York Giants, taking a knee to close out the game, his only appearance of the season.