Tag: Tamarcus Cooley

Kentucky football misses out on a transfer portal cornerback

Kentucky transfer portal target Tamarcus Cooley commits to LSU.

Mark Stoops and Kentucky football have done very well so far in the transfer portal. Among their recent commitments are an All-American edge rusher and an All-Conference wide receiver. They can’t win them all, though. Cornerback Tamarcus Cooley is one that got away.

Cooley was one of the top cornerbacks in the portal, and Kentucky brought him in for a visit, hoping to add him to a revamped defense. However, the former North Carolina State star chose the LSU Tigers.

Related: Receiver Troy Stellato commits to Kentucky

Last season, for the Wolfpack, Cooley was credited with 39 tackles, a sack, three interceptions, and six passes defended. He also forced two fumbles and had three tackles for a loss.

The Wildcats could certainly have used his skills in the secondary. With Maxwell Hairston headed to the NFL, the cornerback position is a bit of an unknown.

Unfortunately, Cooley’s off to the Tigers, and fans will have to wait and see if they pivot to someone else in the portal.

LSU football lands top available safety in the transfer portal

LSU strikes again. The Tigers signed the top available defensive back in the transfer portal.

LSU football made another splash in the transfer portal. On Monday, the Tiger signed former NC State defensive back TaMarcus Cooley. Before Cooley’s commitment, he was the top-ranked unsigned defensive back.

The signing was officially announced by LSU on social media. The Tigers beat out Ole Miss and Missouri for Cooley’s services.

According to the On3, Cooley is the No. 71 overall player in this year’s transfer class and the No. 2 overall safety.

Entering the week, LSU’s transfer class was without a safety. With Cooley on board, Brian Kelly and staff address a major need.

Cooley was the sixth-best graded safety in the ACC in 2024, according to PFF. He led all ACC safeties with seven pass breakups and was tied for first with two forced fumbles. In coverage, he allowed a 61.4 passer rating when targeted.

Most of Cooley’s snaps came in the slot. It’s unclear if LSU views Cooley as a nickelback, a traditional safety, or somewhere in between.

Cooley began his career at Maryland in 2023 and this was his second time in the transfer portal. Sometimes, that’s a bad sign, but the rule doesn’t apply here. Cooley instantly becomes LSU’s most proven option at safety.

Kentucky is in the market for one of the top transfer portal cornerbacks

Kentucky football is targeting former North Carolina State cornerback Tamarcus Cooley.

Kentucky football lost a lot of players this offseason, but the coaching staff is working hard to brings in talent to replace them. They are now looking to add cornerback Tamarcus Cooley from the transfer portal, which would be a very nice win.

Cooley was terrific in 2024 while playing for North Carolina State. He played in all 13 games, and was credited with 39 tackles, including 3 for a loss. He had a sack, 3 interceptions, and 6 passes defended, as well as 2 forced fumbles. Pro Football Focus gave him an 80+ grade for the year.

Related: Kentucky in final three for WR Troy Stellato

Originally, Cooley was a 5’11”, 195 lb safety recruit out of North Carolina. He was rated three stars by 247sports, and ranked as a top 1000 overall player in the 2023 class. He transferred to NC State after one year at Maryland.

Cooley has already established himself as a very good cornerback, and with three years of eligibility remaining, he could develop into an elite one. Mark Stoops and his staff would love to bring him in and have him take over where Maxwell Hairston left off.

He will be visiting Lexington on January 11th according to Matt Zenitz of 247sports.

Texas A&M should pursue NC State transfer defensive back

Texas A&M should contact NC State defensive back Tamarcus Cooley, who just entered the transfer portal

Texas A&M’s transfer portal haul reached 11 commitments on Thursday night after former Iowa State defensive lineman Tyler Onyedim signed with the Aggies, filling another big hole on the roster.

However, former NC State wide receiver KC Concepcion still looks like the most significant acquisition. On Thursday, Concepcion’s Wolfpack teammate, freshman cornerback Tamarcus Cooley, entered the transfer portal with three years remaining eligibility.

Cooley is likely looking to move to a more significant program despite the Wolpack’s recent success. With the departure of Aggie cornerback BJ Mayes, who has entered the NFL Draft, coach Mike Elko should contact the talented defensive back sooner rather than later.

According to Pro Football Focus, Cooley was NC State’s second-highest-rated defender and highest-ranked defensive back, earning an 80.8 defensive grade, 67.7 coverage grade, and 83.7 run defense grade.

During the 2024 season, Cooley recorded 39 tackles, two forced fumbles, three interceptions, and six pass deflections. Cooley’s talent is undeniable, and the Aggies are still one or two cornerbacks away from feeling more than good heading into the spring football season.

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