BREAKING: Maryland DB Tamarcus Cooley commits to NC State
NC State landed another transfer portal commitment Monday afternoon when Tamarcus Cooley officially announced his decision to commit to the Wolfpack. The former Maryland defensive back has three years of eligibility remaining.
Cooley spent the bulk of his senior year committed to NC State out of Rolesville (N.C.) High before flipping to the Terrapins shortly before signing day. Around one year later, he is coming back home. The Pack nickel commit announced his decision on social media.
During his lone season with Maryland, Cooley appeared in 7 games. He played primarily on special teams, recording snaps on the kick coverage, kick return and punt return units. The defensive back also logged 22 defensive snaps, finishing the 2023 season with 4 total tackles, including 1 solo stop. He finished the year with a standout 80.4 tackling grade, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).
After transferring from Knightdale (N.C) High to Rolesville, Cooley emerged as a top priority prospect for the Pack. The spring prior to his senior year, he picked up a wave of Power Five offers that included UNC, Ole Miss and many others.
He officially visited NC State in June and committed July 4.
“It’s home, so I’m comfortable here,” Cooley said when considering the Wolfpack out of high school.
“I can talk to any coach about anything.”
Cooley is a former in-state recruit, and he recorded 54 total tackles, 2 sacks and 2 interceptions (1 pick-6) during his senior season with Rolesville. He is also a dynamic returner and ran back a kick to the end zone last fall as well.
“They’re just telling me I could be a dominant player and nickel back for them,” Cooley said after committing to NC State in high school. “And they can help me develop as a young man, and hopefully I’ll play on Sundays if stuff goes right.”
As a high school recruit in the 2023 class, Cooley was the No. 27 player in North Carolina. Now that he is transferring, On3 ranks him as the No. 55 safety in the transfer portal with an 85.00 rating.
Based on TheWolfpacker.com’s count, the defensive back’s decision to transfer brings NC State up to 81 scholarships for the 2024 season once the 22 Wolfpack prep commits officially join the program. The transfer portal opened Dec. 4, and Cooley confirmed with TheWolfpacker.com that the staff offered him the same day.
