Ducks Digest

Oregon Football Cornerback Cole Martin Enters the Transfer Portal

One of Oregon's top players from the 2023 signing class is on the move after one season in Eugene.

Max Torres

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One of Oregon's promising young defensive backs is leaving the program.

True freshman Cole Martin has entered the transfer portal. He announced his decision via NILX management group on Tuesday afternoon.

"Above all, I want to thank OG...Coach Meat for instilling confidence into me day in and day out," Martin wrote in a farewell note. "The time spent being coached by you was priceless, thank you for developing me into the player and man I am today. Last but certainly not least, thank you Lord for shaping me through the positives and negatives that life brings. With that being said, I've decided to enter my name into the transfer portal."

Martin played the most of any true freshman defensive back this season, logging snaps in all 14 games. He finished the year with 21 total tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass breakup. 

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound defensive back spent the year playing cornerback, nickel and safety for the Ducks, seeing his most playing time against Arizona State as well as the Pac-12 Championship against the Washington Huskies when Oregon's cornerback depth was tested by injuries. 

A native of Pasadena, California, Martin played his high school football at Basha High School in Chandler, Arizona, where he made a name for himself as a four-star (0.9144 per 247Sports Composite) recruit. He signed with the Ducks as one of five cornerbacks in the 2023 recruiting cycle (high school and transfer portal).

Martin was ranked the No. 241 player nationally, the No. 28 cornerback and the No. 4 recruit in Arizona. He also earned Adidas All-American status as a senior en route to the 2022 Arizona Open Division State Championship over powerhouse Saguaro. 

He's the second Oregon player to enter the transfer portal since the Ducks' season ended after the Fiesta Bowl on Monday. He's the eleventh overall scholarship player from Oregon to enter the transfer portal this offseason. Martin will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

The Ducks signed three cornerbacks in the 2024 cycle in All-Americans Dakoda Fields and Ify Obidegwu, as well as elite junior college standout Sione Laulea III.

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Max Torres
MAX TORRES

Max Torres is the publisher and lead editor of Ducks Digest. He's covered the Oregon football and recruiting beats for four years. He's based out of Long Beach, CA and travels around Southern California and the country covering top high school football prospects.

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