Arizona State football head coach Kenny Dillingham seized the opportunity to bring sophomore defensive back Cole Martin back to his home state of Arizona ahead of the 2024 season. Martin, a former four-star prospect from Basha High School in Chandler, was ranked as the No. 4 prospect in Arizona in the Class of 2023. However, Dillingham had arrived in Tempe too late to recruit him out of high school. Instead, Martin signed with Oregon, where his father, Demetrice Martin, served as the Ducks’ pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach.
After the 2023 season, Demetrice Martin left Oregon, prompting Cole Martin to enter the transfer portal. Recognizing the chance to add a top-tier talent to his roster, Dillingham acted quickly to bring Martin back to Arizona State, strengthening the Sun Devils’ secondary for the upcoming season.
Cole Martin’s tenure with Arizona State, initially brimming with promise, came to an abrupt end. The sophomore defensive back earned playing time in ASU’s first two games of the 2024 season, showcasing his potential. However, a hip injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season, halting his on-field contributions.
In a surprising turn of events, Martin entered the transfer portal on Tuesday, marking the end of his brief stint as a Sun Devil. The move signals another chapter in his collegiate career as he seeks a fresh opportunity elsewhere.
Cole Martin’s decision to enter the transfer portal comes just one day after his father, Demetrice Martin, was officially announced as UCLA’s pass game coordinator and secondary coach. Demetrice had spent the previous season as Michigan State’s cornerbacks coach before making the move to the Bruins.
The timing suggests a potential reunion for the father-son duo, raising speculation that Cole could follow his father to UCLA, much as he did during their earlier stint together at Oregon.
Cole Martin’s entry into the transfer portal has fueled speculation of a family reunion, with many anticipating that the talented defensive back will sign with UCLA to join his father, Demetrice Martin, who was recently named the Bruins’ pass game coordinator and secondary coach.
Having followed his father from Oregon to Arizona State previously, Martin’s potential move to UCLA would mark another chapter in their shared football journey. While no official announcement has been made, the pieces appear to be aligning for Martin to suit up for the Bruins in the near future.
In his two appearances for Arizona State, Cole Martin recorded four tackles. During his freshman season at Oregon, he amassed 21 tackles and secured an interception.
Martin is the 12th Sun Devil to enter the transfer portal since the winter window opened and the third defensive back to do so. He follows Laterrance “LT” Welch, a two-time transfer removed from the team after being arrested by Scottsdale Police on theft and trafficking of stolen property charges, and redshirt freshman Keontez Bradley. Additionally, Martin joins redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Tristan Monday and redshirt freshman wide receiver Jamal Young II as former Arizona high school standouts now seeking new opportunities.