The former Arizona high school standout will return home to Arizona and fill the much-needed secondary need
Arizona State fans should be familiar with Oregon defensive back Cole Martin. After all, he and the Ducks lit up the Sun Devils this season, and Martin came away with an interception in the 49-13 rout in Tempe.
Martin, who was a four-star defensive back for Basha high in Chandler, ranked top 250 in the class of 2023 and offers from Alabama, Georgia and LSU, among others before committing to Oregon.
While only playing in Eugene for one season, Martin registered 21 total tackles, four pass defended and a lone interception in 14 games, including a blowout win over Liberty in the Fiesta Bowl.
Cole Martin’s first career interception is an ugly one.
( : @CFBONFOX)pic.twitter.com/K1QF3TKV9K
— theScore (@theScore) November 18, 2023
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound defensive back, hailing from Pasadena, Ca., will now boost the Sun Devils once depleted secondary.
“Coach Ward is a great coach, and he has had the ability to coach guys in the league,” Martin said. “He also feels that I could be a good fit at the nickel back, and that is one of the positions that I love so much and where I feel is home for me. So, being able to have a coach who believes that I can succeed at the nickel is huge. So that’s why Coach Ward has my trust as well.”
Sun Devils’ defensive coordinator Brian Ward recently earned a contract extension after a successful year, and with Dee Ford, Ro Torrence and Chris Edmonds to the draft and the departure of now Notre Dame commit Jordan Clark, Martin’s decision is impactful for the defensive unit heading into the Big 12.