“YEE YEE.” It’s a phrase that’s going to be heard a lot around the UCLA football facilities and seen online countless times in the near future. It’s assistant coach Demetrice Martin’s signature sound. Martin was hired as the pass game coordinator and secondary coach for UCLA football on Dec. 16, marking his return to the Bruins. He previously coached in Westwood from 2012-2017. “Coach Meat knows what it takes to win at UCLA,” head coach DeShaun Foster said in a statement. “He is an enthusiastic recruiter who consistently brings the best out of his players on and off the field. We’re excited to have him back on the West Coast and I know he can’t wait to get to work.” The Pasadena native will have many transfers from Power 5 conferences to work with this season, including his own son (Cole Martin from Arizona State). Four players from the Bruins’ secondary have declared for the NFL Draft, setting a high standard that matches that of the defensive line and linebacker position groups. Here’s a full breakdown of UCLA’s defensive backs entering spring practice, the last in a six-part series examining the post-early-portal-period outlook for every part of the roster. Cornerback Returning: Kanye Clark, R-Fr.; Jamir Benjamin, Fr.; Croix Stewart, R-So.; Khristian Dunbar-Hawkins, Fr.; Marquise Villahermosa, R-Fr. Arriving: Robert Stafford (transfer, Miami), Scooter Jackson (transfer, Utah Tech), Andre Jordan Jr. (transfer, Oregon State), Aaron Williams (transfer, Louisville) Departing: Jaylin Davies (transfer, OSU), DJ Justice (transfer, unknown), Devin Kirkwood (NFL Draft), Kaylin Moore (NFL Draft), Evan Thomas (exhausted eligibility) Safety Returning: Clint Stephens, R-So.; Jadyn Marshall, R-So.; Joshua Dixon, R-Fr.; Brett Barry, Fr. Arriving: Cole Martin (transfer, ASU), Benjamin Perry (transfer, Louisville), Key Lawrence (transfer, Ole Miss), Bryon Threats (transfer, UCF), Jadyn Hudson (three-star 2025 signee) Departing: Isaiah Newcombe (transfer, unknown), R.J. Jones (safety, Utah Tech), Clint Stephens (transfer, unknown), Bryan Addison (NFL Draft), K.J. Wallace (NFL Draft), Ramon Henderson (exhausted eligibility), Zeke Thomas (exhausted eligibility), Joshua Swift (exhausted eligibility) Top questions Will UCLA find all it needs in transfers? The Bruins only gained one defensive back from its 2025 recruiting class but have eight arriving as transfers. Cornerback Robert Stafford got into 12 games at Miami and is a former four-star recruit. Scooter Jackson, another corner, had four pass breakups and 18 total tackles in his freshman season at Utah Tech. At safety, Cole Martin missed the 2024 season due to a hip injury but is a former four-star recruit. Benjamin Perry and Key Lawrence also made significant contributions at their former schools. Related Articles College Sports | UCLA football breakdown: How the Bruins look at linebacker College Sports | UCLA football breakdown: How the Bruins look on the defensive line College Sports | UCLA football breakdown: How the Bruins look on the offensive line College Sports | UCLA football breakdown: How the Bruins look at the skill positions College Sports | UCLA football breakdown: How the Bruins look at quarterback Can Kanye Clark pick up where he left off? Clark, a former walk-on, appeared to have a high upside after earning a scholarship but suffered a season-ending injury in September and only appeared in just two games. The 6-foot, 175-pound corner always appeared to have a high motor at practices and was toward the front of the line for individual drills. If he’s healthy, Clark will be one of the strongest returners with knowledge of UCLA’s defense. Group X-factor It’s time to see if the Coach Meat effect is real. Martin’s return to UCLA could be a difference-maker for the Bruins not just immediately but also in the future because of his ability to recruit. He is seen as exciting and genuine — and recruits as well as their high school coaches appreciate his realness. RELATED UCLA football breakdown: How the Bruins look at linebacker UCLA football breakdown: How the Bruins look on the defensive line UCLA football breakdown: How the Bruins look on the offensive line UCLA football breakdown: How the Bruins look at the skill positions UCLA football breakdown: How the Bruins look at quarterback