Former Kansas State, Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez signs with new NFL team

The New York Jets announced they signed former Kansas State and Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez, according to a release.

Corresponding with the move, cornerback Kendall Sheffield was also signed to the training camp roster. QB Ben Bryant and CB Nehemiah Shelton were released.

Martinez most recently played with the Birmingham Stallions in the UFL, earning MVP honors. He passed for 1,749 yards, 15 touchdowns and added 528 rushing yards.

Martinez went undrafted in 2023 and was signed by the Detroit Lions. Eventually, Detroit waived him last August, paving way for his UFL stint.

While in college, Martinez played five seasons, four at Nebraska and one at Kansas State (2022). Over the course of his career, Martinez threw for 9,752 yards, 51 touchdowns, 31 interceptions, a 63.6% completion percentage, 2,982 rushing yards and 45 rushing touchdowns.

As a member of the Class of 2018, Martinez was a four-star recruit out of Fresno (Calif.) Clovis West, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 22 overall prospect in the state, the No. 13 quarterback in the class and the No. 150 overall prospect in the class.

Adrian Martinez signs with New York Jets

Speaking with HuskerOnline earlier this year, Martinez opened up about his time away from the NFL. He never wavered.

“That thought never crossed my mind,” Martinez said when asked he thought of walking away from football. “It was always, ‘I need to find the right opportunity.’ I know the kind of player that I am right now is an NFL-caliber quarterback. I still have that belief. It really was about: How can I get myself back to getting that right opportunity and making sure I make the most of it?”

Martinez is the latest quarterback on the roster headlined by the return of Aaron Rodgers. The latter tore his Achilles tendon on the fourth play of the 2023 season.

Now that he’s back, there are bigger expectations for the Jets. Behind him is veteran Tyrod Taylor, followed by rookie and former Florida State star Jordan Travis.

It could be an uphill climb for Martinez to make the roster, but if his play is any indication, he’ll certainly have a shot to make the 53-man roster this fall. Training camp and preseason games will be the litmus test.

If anything, Martinez’s latest opportunity could be a way to audition for another team when it’s all said and done.