Interview: 19-Offer 4-Star 2023 Arizona CB/RS Cole Martin Covers Game and Recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The talents and abilities for Class of 2023 corner and return specialist Cole Martin had a breakthrough endeavor during the 2020 season. The 5-10, 175-pound, playmaker showcased the speed on special teams taking 17 punts back for 297 yards and 11 kicks for 244 yards with more touchdowns than most receivers have in an entire season. Hamilton High School’s four-star shinned on defense laying out 39 ball carriers, 34 solo, with two picks, 12 passes broken up, two forced fumbles, and one forced.
Is it the No. 21 jersey flying down the field on a return or making a heads-up play using a next level burst knocking the ball away on the opposition’s pass attempt that harkens thoughts of Prime Time? Whatever juice Martin has on the field, college programs are loving it. So far, the Chandler, Arizona, standout has 19 offers to choose from with the list expected to grow for the sophomore in the coming months.
In an RNG first-look interview, Martin stopped by the RNG Lab for a detailed Q&A conversation covering the skills, recruiting, and offseason workouts.
Interview
Cole, there is a fire and passion that you bring to field that shows even on game film. When the lights go on come game time, what motivates you to play at such a high level?
The thing that motivates me is my family. Every game I look up in the stands to see my mom, sister, brothers, and my dad or think of my dad because he is coaching. My motivation is to make them happy. I always try to be the best version of myself. I try to make sure when I step on the field that I am proving to myself what I can do and never slack off or hold back.
Before we get into your skills on defense, your abilities as a return specialist were on full display during the 2020 season. You were getting some fantastic blocks from your teammates, other than that, what was working for you allowing for such a dynamic year returning the pigskin?
The main thing that ignited my punt returns and getting yards was the mindset to help my team out. Possession is the most important thing. On my first return the ball was bouncing and I picked it up. I got a couple of yards, nothing flashy but I did the job. It went from there.
With my returns, it is about being smart with the ball, trying to help the offense out with field position, and possession was the first priority. My teammates played a huge factor in that success. They were blocking for me and were working together in practice to make it happen. My teammates took pride in the little things, that helped us succeed in all aspects of the game.
The speed pops on special teams. How fast are you?
My best 40 was a 4.5. My track time, I didn’t run last year, so my last times were from eighth grade. Then, I ran an 11.2 or 11.1 in the eighth grade.
Wow. That is impressive.
Thank you.
On defense, what scheme were the Huskies executing during the 2020 season?
Coach (Tim) Dougherty, our defensive coordinator, his brain… Our scheme changed each week. We fit to the team we were playing. Whoever we were playing, we’d shut them down and not allow points. We did that every week. Hats off to our defensive coordinator. Coach Dougherty played a huge part in our defense making sure we were ready to play each week.
What were some of the coverages you guys were executing?
With our secondary, our coaches had a lot of trust in our secondary. There were games we were running man the whole time, or man on backside routes, and there were some games we were running zone the entire time. Our coaches trusted us knowing we were locked in mentally. We had guys like Zach Lewis and Jack Howell, he went to Colorado State, on the field. Deshaun Buchanan and Camden Haggard, they both stepped up in a role that was big for us. They will be studs next year, 100 percent.
What was your role and/or responsibilities as a corner in the defense?
At the start of the season, me and Zach (Lewis) were both at corner. We both played boundary and field, I was the field corner. After that we made some changes. Lewis was moved to safety. Then I followed the No. 1 threat for the other team around all game. I tried to rise to the occasion. My teammates helped me out, and I had two great safeties behind me. It was me verses my man. We were going against really good competition. It was a really good experience for me.
I bet, being challenged that way each game. How did your overall game as a cover corner improve with those challenges?
I feel like it improved tremendously. My physicality has upgraded from my freshman year. I didn’t want to be the most physical corner during my freshman year; I wanted to play with technique only. This year, I improved a lot. My coach did a great job having us in the weight room getting stronger and faster. We played more physical as a team, and that transferred over from the weight room. How I improved the most, my physicality and my man-to-man coverage.
One thing I really like about your game is your willingness to lay a dude out. With your run stopping, how did you push that part of your game forward during your sophomore season?
(Laughs) It came from my teammates. Jack Howell, he was known for his tackling. The Arizona boys challenged each other on tackles. He had almost 100 tackles; we were not up there like that with him, but it was a fun experience competing with each other. That pushed all of us getting into more plays and finishing plays. We did not do as well on that last year. This year we finished plays. That is a big part of it.
You got some snaps on offense during the 2020 campaign, will we see more of you on that side of the ball in 2021?
Yes, sir. I had a few snaps, not as much as I could have had. Our offense is a great offense. We have a consistent offense. They are always driving downfield and getting yards. We have a lot of seniors that are now gone. I will step up to help make an impact on offense as well.
Going into the offseason, which technical parts of your game will you work on to prepare for your junior year as a defender?
My off coverage, that was not up to par this year. I did well in some games and average in others. I need to improve on that for the next level. This offseason I need to work on playing off, improve on my man coverage, and catch technique. When you are limited as a corner in what you can do, it is hard to take your game to the next level.
We know you play football and you mentioned track. What all sports do you compete in for Hamilton?
This year I am thinking about basketball, but I am not 100 percent on that. My coaches are scared about the tissue injuries from basketball. If not basketball, I will stick to track as a second sport.
Let’s wrap talking about recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
USC is showing a lot, Texas, they were my first huge offer, and NAU (Northern Arizona) – they have always shown love since they met me. Those coaches are close like family. Coach Ball and Coach Thompson do a great job of letting me know they are interested.
How many offers do you have?
I have 19 offers.
Which programs were the last couple to offer you?
Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Nebraska.
Martin’s Offer Sheet: Arizona State, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida Atlantic, Florida State, Iowa State, Kansas, LSU, Michigan State, Nebraska, Nevada, Northern Arizona, Oregon, San Jose State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, and Wisconsin
When visits start back up in the coming weeks or months, are there any programs you’d like to go see?
Yes, I would love to go visit USC and LSU. Texas A&M, I’d like to see one of their games. And Texas, I have to go over there. There are a lot of schools I’d love to go see. It is like living a dream. All of this with recruiting is something that I have worked hard for but I could not imagine I’d be in now.
Cole, it was a pleasure spending time with you today going over your skills on the field and recruiting. Keep up the hard work this offseason.
Yes, sir.
Photo credit: Martin family; Cole Martin