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 Nebraska Cornhuskers. Martinez led the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL) in 2024, earning multiple awards including the league MVP and championship game MVP. His career has spanned multiple organizations in both the NFL and UFL, showcasing his dual-threat abilities as both a passer and rusher.
Early Life and Background
Adrian Martinez was born on January 7, 2000, in Hanford, California. He attended Clovis West High School in Fresno, California. Martinez was named the Fresno Bee football player of the year during his junior year after completing 2,562 passing yards with 25 touchdowns and rushing for 1,462 yards with 14 touchdowns. He missed his senior season of football due to a torn labrum sustained while playing basketball.
Martinez was regarded as a four-star prospect and was the seventh-highest-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2018 according to the 247Sports Composite. He originally committed to play college football at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Tennessee before ultimately deciding on the University of Nebraska.
Path to American Football
Martinez became the first true freshman in Nebraska history to begin a season as the starting quarterback under first-year head coach Scott Frost. He had an impressive freshman season, finishing with 2,617 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, and eight interceptions while adding 629 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. He earned multiple Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors throughout the season.
After his junior season at Nebraska in 2021, Martinez entered the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining. On December 16, 2021, he announced his transfer to Kansas State for his final collegiate season. In the 2022 season, Martinez split time at quarterback with Will Howard, helping lead the Wildcats to a 10-4 record and a Big 12 Championship. He finished the season with 1,261 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, and one interception, along with 627 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
Adrian Martinez Career
Detroit Lions Undrafted Free Agent (2023)
Despite projections as a potential mid-round selection, Martinez went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. He was waived by the Lions on August 29, 2023, during final roster cuts.
Birmingham Stallions UFL MVP Season (2024)
Martinez signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League on December 24, 2023. He delivered an exceptional 2024 season, appearing in 10 games while completing 134 passes for 1,750 yards, 15 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also rushed for 530 yards and three touchdowns on 54 carries, demonstrating his elite dual-threat ability. He was named to the 2024 All-UFL Team and won both the UFL MVP and UFL Championship Game MVP awards, leading Birmingham to the UFL Championship title.
New York Jets First Stint (2024)
Following his standout UFL performance, Martinez signed with the New York Jets on July 27, 2024. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad. Martinez signed a reserve/futures contract with the Jets on January 6, 2025. He was waived on August 24, 2025.
San Francisco 49ers First Stint (2025)
Martinez signed with the San Francisco 49ers practice squad on August 27, 2025. He was promoted to the active roster on October 2, 2025, amid injuries to Brock Purdy and Mac Jones. Martinez made his NFL regular-season debut on November 2, 2025, taking a knee on the final play of the Week 9 game against the New York Giants. He was waived on November 15, 2025, following Purdys return from injury, and re-signed to the practice squad on November 18. He was released by the 49ers on December 9, 2025.
New York Jets Second Stint (2025)
Martinez signed with the New York Jets practice squad on December 10, 2025. He was elevated from the practice squad for the Jets Week 15 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to injuries to Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor, though he did not play. He was released by the Jets on December 16, 2025.
San Francisco 49ers Second Stint (2025-Present)
Martinez signed with the San Francisco 49ers practice squad on December 17, 2025. On January 20, 2026, he signed a reserve/futures contract with the 49ers, securing his place on the roster heading into the 2026 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Martinez is known for his exceptional dual-threat ability, combining solid passing skills with elite rushing talent. His mobility and elusiveness allow him to extend plays and pick up crucial yards on the ground. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs, making him a versatile offensive weapon. His experience playing in multiple offensive systems at both Nebraska and Kansas State has helped him develop adaptability and football intelligence.
Notable Events and Milestones
Martinez became the first true freshman in Nebraska history to start a season opener at quarterback. His 2024 UFL MVP season stands as his most decorated professional achievement, where he led the league in rushing yards and guided Birmingham to a championship while earning both regular season and championship game MVP honors. He made his NFL regular-season debut with the 49ers in November 2025, representing a milestone in his progression from college football to the professional level.
Adrian Martinez Career Wins
Martinez has accumulated significant achievements across college football and the UFL, with his 2024 season in Birmingham representing the pinnacle of his professional career thus far.
UFL Highlights
During the 2024 UFL season with Birmingham, Martinez completed 134 passes for 1,750 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 530 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games. He led the entire UFL in rushing yards and was named both the UFL MVP and UFL Championship Game MVP, leading the Stallions to the league championship title.
Other Wins and Performances
After his standout UFL season, Martinez joined the New York Jets in July 2024, initially making the active roster before moving to the practice squad. He eventually signed a futures contract with the Jets in January 2025 before being released later that year. With the San Francisco 49ers, Martinez saw his first NFL game action in 2025, appearing in one contest, and he signed a futures contract with San Francisco in January 2026.
Adrian Martinez Family
Family Background
Adrian Martinez was born and raised in Hanford, California. He attended Clovis West High School in Fresno, California, where his football talents first became apparent. Details about his parents and family background remain private.
Personal Life
Martinez has navigated the challenges of professional football across multiple organizations, moving between the NFL and UFL during his young career. His NFL opportunities have been limited thus far with just one regular-season appearance, but his success in the UFL and his dual-threat capabilities as a quarterback have positioned him as a developmental prospect with significant upside.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Martinez as he moved between multiple NFL organizations. He signed with the 49ers practice squad in August, was promoted to the active roster in October due to injuries, made his NFL debut, and then spent time between practice squads and rosters with both the 49ers and Jets before eventually returning to San Francisco on a futures contract in January 2026. His ability to continue earning opportunities at the NFL level despite limited production demonstrates the value teams place on his skill set and positional versatility. Martinez will look to build on this foundation and compete for a more permanent role with the 49ers organization moving forward.