Oregon Football Signee Spotlight: CB Cole Martin

Oregon adds a physical and athletic defensive back to the program within Cole Martin.

Today we'll be taking a look at one of the best overall athletes the Oregon Ducks  signed in December. Oregon cornerback signee Cole Martin is a player that can make a strong impact in the secondary for years to come.

Vitals

-Height/Weigh: 5’10"/ 175 pounds

-Hometown: Pasadena, CA

-High School: Basha High School (Chandler, AZ)

-Distinction: Adidas All-American

Evaluation

Martin sits at 5’10", 175 pounds, but plays as physical as any Division 1 linebacker prospect. He's quick to get to the receiver in both short distance and across the field and will hit the ball carrier like a mack truck.

Being a versatile player at one of the hardest positions in the game is not easy, but Martin makes it look easy on tape. He has this almost Jalen Ramsey type of play when you turn on his film like he wants opponents to know he's the best on the field. 

His open field tackling is one of his best traits at the speed he gets to the ballcarrier. Most corners shoot for the lower tackling angles, but Martin has a teach tape type of form tackling that allowed him to get 84 tackles in his senior season.

When he's playing against the pass, he uses his physicality to get his hands in between the receivers to knock down the ball. In his one-on-one play he’ll line up against anyone of any size and still find a way to walk away the winner in coverage.

READ MORE: Ranking Oregon Football's 2022 Uniforms

The recruitment, how it happened

Martin’s recruitment kicked off early back in 2019 where he picked up a few offers such as FAU and Nevada before adding San Jose State in the first half of 2020. It wouldn't take long for other schools like USC, Texas, LSU and Colorado to offer the athletic cornerback.

The Ducks first offered him on May 23, 2020. After picking up multiple offers and taking a few visits the talented DB committed to Oregon on January 1, 2022. Martin is the son of Oregon defensive back coach Demetrice Martin, who recently took home Pac-12 Recruiter of the Year honors.

Family ties could have been one of the bigger factors in getting the four-star corner to Eugene. There was a strong push late from Louisville, who got an official visit from the Oregon commit, but he would ultimately stick with the Ducks and enroll early to participate in Spring practice.

READ MORE: Top Texas RB James Peoples has Oregon as a final school

Outlook at Oregon

Luckily for Martin he's a part of a position group that is trying to figure themselves out after last season. The passing game was nothing if not inconsistent last season, but it would eventually be the downfall of the Ducks' season towards the back half.

Lanning has added some new players from the transfer portal and high school ranks that could have a drastic impact on this position group next year. Adding Alabama transfer Khyree Jackson will add some SEC experience to the group.

The Ducks also signed four-star cornerbacks Rodrick Pleasant and Daylen Austin from Martin's home area of Southern California as well asthree-star Collin Gill. Oregon will also return the same rotational group from last season, headlined by Trikweze Bridges, Dontae Manning and Jahlil Florence, who look to fill in for the loss of Christian Gonzalez.

Martin has a fair fight to earn some type of playing time for the Ducks later on this fall with all the newcomers also joining the mix. It's no secret that something has to change for next season and maybe this group of guys have something the group was missing a year ago.

Rankings rundown

247Sports Composite rating: 4-star (0.9146)

247Sports Composite ranking: No. 238 Natl., No. 28 CB, No. 4 in AZ

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Rivals rating: 4-star (5.9)

Rivals ranking: No. 178 Natl., No. 24 CB, No. 4 in AZ

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On3 consensus rating: 4-star (91.84)

On3 consensus ranking: No. 215 Natl., No. 8 ATH, No. 4 in AZ

SIGNEE SPOTLIGHT: 2023 TE Kenyon Sadiq

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