UCLA senior defensive back Cole Martin has helped uphold the Bruin Bullies Mindset. Defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler created the nickname for the UCLA defense.
In the five weeks of gameplay, the Bruin Bullies held their opponents to 1,540 total offensive yards and 11 touchdowns.
“There’s fundamentals that come with playing this game and those fundamentals apply on every snap,” Martin said. “When you go out and everything, trying to compete, trying to be the best version of yourself, it just raises your play and who you are as a person on and off the field.”
Martin has six total tackles in the first five games of the season. Being the oldest sibling of four, leadership skills are ingrained in him. His two younger sisters and younger brother all compete in track and field.
“All I can do is lead, it’s naturally in me,” Martin said. “They’re all doing their thing. They’re all serious about elevating to the next level and only greatness has come from hard work and preparation.”
Last season, Martin was a stalwart for the Bruins, making 65 total tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss.
“Being able to have a year like that elevated us to a mindset where we can handle a lot of things,” he said.
For Martin, being a student athlete has an impact on possible opportunities. He is a sociology major, saying that the major taught him a lot about himself and people around him.
“Student goes first, but being able to know that our athlete label applies to everything that we do, it’s huge,” Martin said. “Having that thing on our back, that name on our back, is everything to us.”
Studying sociology is something that Martin can apply to his everyday life. The alumni at UCLA assist Martin with his academic endeavors.
“Just knowing that you got alums that are truly bought into UCLA’s success as a whole just allows for great things to happen,” Martin said. “Being able to have those experiences allows for everything to flourish.”
A proud moment for Martin was winning a state championship during his high school years. He was the top cornerback in Arizona; Martin earned an invitation to the All-American Bowl. He hopes to bring that same level of success into this season.
“Looking to get one this year, get a Big 10 championship, that’ll be something that would be really, really appreciative for the UCLA Bruin community,” Martin said. “I’m trying to get coach (Bob) Chesney another way in the Big 10.”