UCLA’s secondary is taking some unexpected hits heading into the offseason, with cornerback Andre Jordan and safety Cole Martin announcing their plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. Their departures mark another shift in a Bruins defense that, while inconsistent overall, found some stability in the secondary throughout the season.
Jordan and Martin aren’t the only ones eyeing a new destination. They join fellow defensive back Scooter Jackson, who also entered the portal just a day earlier. That’s three key members of UCLA’s defensive backfield exploring their options, and each played meaningful snaps this year.
Let’s start with Jordan. The veteran corner started eight games this season and led the team in pass breakups.
He’s got one year of eligibility left, and his physical style of play and knack for disrupting routes made him a reliable presence on the outside. Losing a player with his experience and production is a blow, especially for a team trying to retool under new leadership.
Martin, on the other hand, brings versatility to the table. He lined up at both nickel and safety this season and started the majority of games.
With two years of eligibility remaining, he’s a valuable asset for any program looking for a hybrid defensive back who can cover ground and contribute in multiple roles. There’s also a family connection worth noting-Martin is the son of UCLA defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin.
Wherever the elder Martin ends up coaching next could very well become a landing spot for his son, which adds another layer to this transfer storyline.
Despite UCLA’s struggles on defense this year, the secondary was one of the few bright spots. Alongside Jordan, Martin, and Jackson, players like Key Lawrence and Rodrick Pleasant helped hold things together on the back end. It wasn’t a shutdown unit by any means, but it showed flashes of being more than serviceable-especially considering the broader issues across the defense.
Now, with Bob Chesney stepping in as UCLA’s new head coach, roster evaluation becomes priority one. The Bruins have to decide which players they’ll try to retain from the portal entries, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Jordan and Martin are high on that list. Both bring proven production and positional flexibility-traits that are tough to replace, especially in a transitional year.
Chesney inherits a roster with talent, but also one in flux. The transfer portal giveth and taketh, and how UCLA navigates this stretch will say a lot about the direction of the program under its new leadership. For now, the Bruins are facing some early challenges in the secondary-and the offseason is just getting started.