Former Nebraska football star inks new USFL contract

Adrian Martinez’s post-Nebraska football career has certainly been an interesting one. Late last week, the quarterback’s career took yet another twist as he announced he’d signed a deal with the USFL Birmingham Stallions.

By signing with the Stallions, Martinez is at least signing a deal with one of the best of the more minor professional football leagues. Birmingham has won the last two USFL titles. It appears at least for now, he’s got a bit of an uphill battle if he wants to be the starter.

Last season, the Stallions had the leagues MVP in quarterback Alex McGough. McGough passed for 2,104 yards and 20 touchdowns while notching just 5 interceptions. That included a 243 yard and 4 touchdown performance in the USFL championship game.

However, if there’s one thing that Martinez has shown over the court of his career, it’s that the former Nebraska football star has a ton of talent. It’s all about staying healthy and putting it all together. 

Martinez even looked like he might have a chance to catch on with the Detroit Lions this past fall camp after shining in several of the Lions’ preseason games. In the end, he was cut by this year’s NFC North champions. Rather than trying to land on another team’s practice squad, Adrian Martinez briefly called it a career.

Ex-Nebraska football star takes next career step

After it looked like his pro playing days were over, Martinez embodied the old saying “once a Husker, always a Husker.” He returned to Lincoln and took a job with the Nebraska football program, working for Athletic Director Trev Alberts.

Apparently, that job was just in case he didn’t get another shot at playing professional football. Martinez is now trying to revive his career one more time. While the 2024 USFL schedule has not been officially released, the next season is due to kick off sometime this spring.

As long as the former Nebraska football great can stay healthy, he could raise some eyebrows in the young league.