Birmingham Stallions' Adrian Martinez Named MVP of the UFL

© Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Birmingham Stallions quarterback, Adrian Martinez, has been named the 2024 MVP in the United Football League. 

Martinez Dazzles

Martinez was spectacular this season for the Stallions, leading them to a 9-1 record, good enough for best in the UFL. He contributed in a big way for the Stallions, both on the ground and through the air. As a runner, Martinez led the league with 528 yards. Martinez was also efficient throwing the ball, passing for 1,749 yards, which was good enough for No. 3 in the league. As a whole, Martinez accounted for 2,277 total offensive yards, second-best overall.

Although yards look great, touchdowns are what count on the scoreboard, and Martinez contributed plenty of those. He tied for the league lead in touchdowns with 18, 15 of those coming through the air and 3 on the ground. The Stallions signal caller also set single-game records on two occasions. He set the single-game record for touchdown passes against the Memphis Showboats on May 4, when he tossed 4. Martinez also set the single-game record for total touchdowns against the Houston Roughnecks on May 18, accounting for 5 total touchdowns in the contest. 

The Journey of Adrian Martinez

In 2018, Martinez came out of Clovis West High School in Fresno, California as a four-star recruit (247 Sports Composite). Rated the seventh-best dual-threat quarterback in his class, Martinez committed to the University of Nebraska.

He had an impressive freshman season for the Cornhuskers, throwing for 2,617 yards and rushing for an additional 629 yards while racking up 25 total touchdowns. Although Martinez struggled with injuries and turnovers throughout his tenure with the Huskers from 2018 until 2021, he was often an electrifying bright spot for a team that enjoyed little success while he was their signal caller.

Martinez transferred to Kansas State for his final year of college eligibility. In his one season with the Wildcats, he accounted for 1,888 total yards and 16 touchdowns.

After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Martinez spent some time with the Detroit Lions, before signing with the Stallions on December 24, 2023. 

UFL Championship Game

Martinez and the Stallions will now turn their attention toward the XFL Conference champion San Antonio Brahmas, who they will face in the inaugural UFL Championship Game at 5 p.m. EST on June 16.

Martinez struggled in the USFL Conference Championship Game on June 8 and was benched in favor of former Carolina Panthers third-round draft pick, Matt Corral. The Stallions have yet to name a starter for the championship. Will the UFL's first MVP play in the league's first championship game?