4-star DB Cole Martin commits to Oregon, will be a leader in the 2023 recruiting class

The 2023 recruiting class will be Dan Lanning’s first full class as the Oregon head coach and he is off to a good start.

Chandler (Ari.) Basha four-star cornerback Cole Martin has committed to the Ducks. The No. 115 prospect in the On3 Consensus has over 30 offers and he committed to Oregon over Arizona State, Colorado, UCLA, and USC.

“This is like a dream come true,” Martin told On3. “Growing up on the west coast, I have always watched Pac 12 football, so to be committed to Oregon is like a dream coming true for me.”

Demetric Martin, Cole’s father, is now the cornerbacks coach under Lanning at Oregon. That was part of the draw to the Ducks, but there is much more to this decision.

“Oregon is a top program with a great head coach and they are a top program in the Pac 12. I have been watching them since I was little, and they always have great players, they have been on my list for a long time, and everything felt right.

“Coach Lanning has been recruiting me when he was at Georgia, so I have that relationship. Now my dad is coaching there, coach (Adrian) Klemm (offensive line) is there, and everything just lines up right for me at Oregon.

“My dad and coach Klemm coached together at UCLA, so I know him well, I knew coach (Kenny) Dillingham (offensive coordinator) when he was at Florida State, and coach Lanning is going to be great there, so committing to Oregon is 1000% the right decision for me.”

Cole Martin excited about getting to play for his father

Since Martin has been playing football, his father has been coaching in the Pac 12. After playing at Michigan State, the elder Martin has coached at Arizona, Colorado, UCLA, USC, Washington, and now Oregon.

He will now be able to truly coach his son.

“My dad has always been in my corner, and he has always taught me about being a great cornerback, but this will be different,” Martin said. “He will actually be my coach. He will be able to coach me every day, develop me, and teach me daily.”

The new Oregon commit looks forward to that.

“My dad is a great coach, so to be able to learn from and work with someone like him will be great. I have been wanting for this to happen, and now it will.

“He is going to push me, work me, and coach me harder than anyone ever has. My dad is not going to sugar-coat anything. That is why he is so good. It is a real blessing to be able to play for him at a great school like Oregon.”

Lanning lands a leader in Martin

The first 2023 commitment for Oregon is a big one. Martin is well known, he is well-liked, and he is going to recruit for Lanning.

“I always wanted to be the first commitment for a school,” Martin said. “Coach Lanning was in my ear as soon as he got the job saying they wanted me and it is amazing to be that guy.

“I get to help build a class at Oregon now. I will be recruiting players, I get to be a leader, and it is going to be amazing.

“There are a lot of top players that like Oregon, so I now I get to recruit them.”

Martin is excited about what he gets to tell them too. He is a believer in his future head coach.

“Coach Lanning is a big part of Georgia’s great defense this year and he is going to do big things at Oregon. He has a lot of energy. He is a great recruiter. I will be telling a lot of recruits about him.”