Cole Martin grew up attending UCLA games at the Rose Bowl while his father coached the Bruins' defensive backs. After a 3-9 season nearly scattered the roster, one conversation with new head coach Bob Chesney kept him in Westwood.

The Pasadena native entered the transfer portal following UCLA's dismal 2025 campaign, which saw head coach DeShaun Foster, defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe and offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri all leave the program. Martin's father, Demetrice Martin, also departed to become a defensive analyst at Arizona State.

But when Chesney arrived from James Madison in December 2025, Martin and fellow defensive backs Rodrick Pleasant and Scooter Jackson met the new coach at the UCLA facility and walked away convinced.

"California boys, we are all here after coaches parted and we were up here, and Chesney came and we had a conversation with him and we all got together after and we were like, 'He's different,'" Martin told the LA Times on Tuesday, Aug. 18. "... You have got to believe in somebody, and he's somebody you can believe in."

All three withdrew from the portal.

Martin had already proven his value. In his first season as a Bruin after transferring from Oregon and Arizona State, he started all 12 games and posted 65 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one interception, ranking fourth on the team in total stops. UCLA's scoring defense, meanwhile, finished 127th nationally and last in the Big Ten.

Chesney, 48, brought a .717 career winning percentage and six conference coach of the year awards to Westwood. He also brought 10 transfers from JMU, including running back Wayne Knight, a 2025 AP second-team All-American, and defensive end Sahir West, the 2025 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. Former NFL quarterback Derek Carr joined the staff as a volunteer special advisor in August.

Still, Chesney made clear that Martin's presence mattered as much as any portal addition.

"You just felt Cole's personality and his infectious positivity, and I just said, 'Man, we need this kid to stay. This kid is what I feel like our team should be like on a day-to-day basis,'" Chesney said Monday, Aug. 17, recalling his first impression of Martin.

The trust runs both ways. Chesney selected Martin alongside quarterback Nico Iamaleava and linebacker Sammy Omosigho to represent UCLA at Big Ten Football Media Days in Chicago on Wednesday, July 29.

In fall camp, which opened Aug. 6 at the Wasserman Football Center, Martin has shifted from safety to the slot/nickel position while JMU transfer DJ Barksdale lines up outside. Rodrick Pleasant told the Daily News on Aug. 7 that the defensive backs are being asked to play multiple spots: "He has us move around and do things, and everything's for a certain reason. That's what's going to make us special in the back end."

Martin is working through a minor muscle injury but has remained present at practice. Chesney said Aug. 17 that Martin is "really close" to returning.

UCLA opens the 2026 season Saturday, Sept. 5, at California (7:30 p.m. PT, ESPN), then hosts San Diego State at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 4:15 p.m. PT.