The Kentucky Wildcats may have an opportunity to add Tamarcus Cooley to their team next season. Hailing from Knightdale, NC, the 5-foot-11 player was an important cornerback for the NC State Wolfpack last year.
After NC State’s disappointing 10th-place finish in the ACC, the team faced a setback by losing 26-21 to the East Carolina Pirates in the Military Bowl, prompting several players to consider transferring. The Wolfpack struggled with a 3-5 record in conference play and a 6-7 overall season.
Cooley plans to visit several SEC schools in the upcoming week, including LSU, Ole Miss, Missouri, and Kentucky. According to 247 Sports’ Matt Zenitz, he will visit Lexington to meet with the Wildcats next Saturday.
Here’s a brief overview of his schedule. Cooley, a 3-star recruit, was ranked as the 27th best player from North Carolina in the 2023 class. He began his career at Maryland before transferring to NC State for last season.
In his latest season, Cooley amassed 39 total tackles, one sack, three interceptions, and a fumble recovery that he returned for 70 yards. He recorded an impressive 80.8 defensive grade and an 81.8 coverage grade according to PFF, ranking 21st among 546 cornerbacks in Power Five conferences this year.
With his skill set, Cooley has the potential to be a leader in Mark Stoops’ program. Given the Wildcats’ recent success in developing talented defensive backs, moving to Lexington next season would be a great opportunity for him.
