Cole Martin was one of the many defensive backs to enter the transfer portal. UCLA is set to have a lot of change in their defensive backfield. Along with Scooter Jackson and Andre Jordan Jr. Martin felt his best option was to play elsewhere. With a new coaching staff coming in, maybe he saw the writing on the wall with a lot of changes coming. He has two years of eligibility left, and if he does not miraculously return to UCLA. He will be playing on his fourth team in four years.
BREAKING: UCLA DB Cole Martin plans to enter the @TransferPortal, he tells @On3sports⁰⁰The 5’9 190 DB totaled 65 tackles, 3 PBUs, and 1 INT this season ⁰⁰He started all 12 games & will have 2 years of eligibility left ⁰⁰https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/B4N7SbU0KL
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 2, 2025
Martin spent 2023 in Oregon after committing there after high school, then transferred to Arizona State before landing with UCLA in 2025. He played a big role in a bright spot on the defense. The defensive backfield held up as well as they could this season. Considering the defensive line could not get any pressure on the quarterback. The defensive backs were put in tough spots having to cover for far too long. But they did a good job of holding as long as they could.
Martin’s dad is Demetrice Martin also known as coach Meat, who coached defensive backs from 2012-2017. He then returned to coach the corners this year bringing along Cole to the mix this year. The Bruins only had four interceptions all season and he had one of them. He also had 65 tackles and three passes defended, while playing a big role on defense. He will have two years of eligibility remaining for whatever team he decides on next. As his dad most likely will be coaching for another team as well.
UCLA secondary coach Demetrice Martin instructing the defensive backs pic.twitter.com/epESKntCU1
— Tracy McDannald 📎 (@Tracy_McDannald) April 8, 2025
Martin has good versatility as he can play both nickel and safety. Giving wherever he goes a good weapon to utilize him to his strengths. As for the Bruins it will be interesting to see who replaces all of these guys. Bob Chesney will definitely have his work cut out for him to get things to where he wants them to be on defense. But Bruins fans have reason to be excited as he has upped the play of all stops that he has been too in his career.