Arizona State is set to lose sophomore defensive back Cole Martin to the transfer portal, as confirmed by multiple reports on Tuesday. Martin, who joined the Sun Devils as a transfer from Oregon, saw limited action this season, recording four tackles. His departure marks the latest in a series of defensive back losses for ASU this offseason.
In addition to Martin, the team will also lose redshirt sophomore Kamari Wilson, who has announced his entry into the portal. Wilson, a former Florida player, made 12 appearances for the Sun Devils this season, registering 11 tackles. Despite his solid contributions, Wilson had been behind junior Myles Rowser on the depth chart. He will remain with the team through its playoff run.
Wilson was regarded as a four-star prospect coming out of IMG Academy, as ranked by 247 Sports and Rivals, and his decision to enter the portal adds to the growing list of departures from ASU’s secondary. The team will now look to bolster its depth at the position for the future.
Another player exiting the program is cornerback Laterrance Welch, who was dismissed from the team following accusations of stealing a watch from a teammate. Welch, who transferred to ASU from LSU, had a solid season with 19 tackles, two interceptions, and nine pass deflections. He also contributed a memorable pick-six during ASU’s game against UCF at Mountain America Stadium. However, Welch did not participate in ASU’s Big 12 title game victory over Iowa State.
The Sun Devils recently made their first additions through the transfer portal, bringing in wide receiver Noble Johnson and kicker Jesús Gómez. Head coach Kenny Dillingham confirmed last week that ASU has received significant interest from transfer players, particularly at the wide receiver position, since the portal opened on December 9.
Although several Sun Devils have entered the portal, Dillingham emphasized that this does not necessarily mark the end of their time with the program. The coaching staff has allowed players to explore transfer options while remaining with the team during its playoff run.
“We’ve met with most of our guys going in, and they have the opportunity to stay on the team,” Dillingham told reporters on Monday. “I’ve told them it’s not fair to wait until the end of our run to enter. We want them to have the best chance to find a new spot, and if they wish to stay, they can remain with the team and continue this journey with us.”
With the College Football Playoff on the horizon, Arizona State’s coaching staff continues to navigate the complexities of the transfer portal while maintaining focus on the team’s playoff aspirations.