LOS ANGELES — When UCLA’s former assistant coaches began to scatter following the end of the 2025 season, on the periphery, it seemed as if the Bruins’ secondary could be hit the hardest.

Three weeks ago, Demetrice Martin, the father of redshirt junior safety Cole Martin, was deemed likely to join Arizona State’s coaching staff in a similar capacity, according to multiple reports. “Coach Meat,” as fellow coaches and players alike have affectionately coined the former UCLA secondary coach and passing game coordinator, was instrumental in recruiting the 2025 secondary, which included a host of transfer talent.

And so, worries over last year’s transfers, Cole Martin and Rodrick Pleasant, entering the transfer portal, were prominent. The former of the pair even entered the portal temporarily.

UCLA coach Bob Chesney’s decision to retain safeties-turned-nickels coach Gabe Lynn appeared to help to turn the tide.

Pleasant announced his return to UCLA. And so did Cole Martin. Even Scooter Jackson, who entered the portal for a short stint, elected to come back to don blue and gold once again.

UCLA’s secondary quickly became the position group with the most retained talent outside of quarterback and running backs, which brings back most, if not close to all, of its 2025 production.

Bringing seven transfers and two freshmen into the fold – so far – provides Chesney the opportunity to mix and match entering the spring; finding the best possible group to run with for the season opener in Berkeley against Cal.

As the first transfer portal window has wrapped – although exceptions are always possible – here’s a full breakdown of the movement within UCLA’s secondary entering the spring, the sixth in a seven-part series examining the post-portal scholarship outlook for every part of the roster. Previously, we’ve looked at the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive linemen and linebackers.

CORNERBACK

Returning: Rodrick Pleasant, R-Jr.; Robert Stafford, R-Jr.; Kuron Jabari, R-Fr.; Chase Coleman, R-Fr.; Aaron Williams, R-Fr.; LaRue Zamorano, R-Fr.

Arriving: Orsis Gilbert, Soph. (transfer, Connecticut); Dante Lovett, R-Jr. (transfer, Virginia Tech); Jhase McMillan, R-Soph. (transfer, Montana State); CJ Lavender, Fr. (Mater Dei).

Departing: Jamier Johnson (transfer, undecided); Andre Jordan Jr. (transfer, Auburn); Jamir Benjamin (transfer, Rice).

NICKELBACK/SAFETY

Returning: Scooter Jackson, Sr.; Cole Martin, R-Jr.; Jadyn Hudson, R-Fr.

Arriving: DJ Barksdale, Sr. (transfer, James Madison); Tao Johnson, R-Sr. (transfer, Utah); Malik Hartford, R-Jr. (transfer, Ohio State); Ta’Shawn James, R-Jr. (transfer, Iowa State); Logan Hirou, Fr. (Santa Margarita High).

Departing: Kanye Clark (transfer, Florida); Byron Threats (transfer, undecided); Croix Stewart (transfer, Fresno State); Key Lawrence (exhausted eligibility).

What does returning Pleasant, Jackson and Martin mean for the Bruins?

Stability in college football is hard to come by, especially when you look at the successful teams of the last handful of years. Indiana, in particular, won a national championship much because of James Madison transfers such as D’Angelo Ponds, who turned in stellar performances during the College Football Playoff.

And while Chesney still brought in one of his own from the Dukes, Barksdale (James Madison’s starting nickel who tallied 36 tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups), to help lighten the load in the safeties room, the secondary as a whole is stronger because of the highlighted returning trio.

Jackson recorded 44 tackles and led the Bruins with two interceptions in 2025. Pleasant has all-star speed that he showcased during 2025, a skillset that will now be shown with sprints for the track and field team. And lastly, Cole Martin, who could have followed his father elsewhere, chose to stay in Los Angeles – charting a path for himself instead of becoming a Sun Devil for the second time in his career.

Related Articles