Born and raised in San Diego, California, Martell Hughes is an early graduate from Madison High School, in San Diego, CA. Rated as a 3 star DB by ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, and On3. Played Free Safety, Wide Receiver, Quarterback, and Linebacker throughout highschool. Committed to Arizona State University(ASU) on July 4, 2023, as a Linebacker based on projected body build and weight, and signed his NLI on December 20, 2023 as an early ASU enrollee for Spring '24. Martell Hughes is Barrett Honors college participant, majoring in Sports Business.