LSU football continued its aggressive transfer portal push.
On Monday, the Tigers signed former NC State safety TaMarcus Cooley. According to On3, Cooley is the No. 2 ranked safety in this year’s transfer class. At the time of his signing, he was the top available defensive back.
Cooley fills a major need for LSU. Brian Kellyand staff were in the market for safety but were yet to sign one over a month into the portal season. Cooley changes that.
LSU was inconsistent at the position in 2024 and has to replace most of its safety production. Major Burns graduated and Sage Ryan transferred to Ole Miss. Depth pieces like Jordan Allen and Kylin Jackson hit the portal, too.
LSU returns DaShawn Spears and Javien Toviano, both were blue-chip recruits but both lack experience. Cooley gives LSU an experienced option on the backend.
Here’s what LSU fans need to know about the Tigers’ newest defensive back.
Where will Cooley play?
LSU and defensive coordinator Blake Baker value versatility on the backend. Cooley is listed as a safety but spent 380 snaps in the slot. It’s unclear if he’ll play a traditional safety role or the STAR position. LSU needs help at both.
Some of it could depend on how LSU decides to deploy Toviano and linebacker Harold Perkins. If LSU is using more 4-3 looks, the STAR won’t be on the field every play and LSU probably wants to keep Cooley in the lineup.
As for Toviano, Cooley’s versatility allows LSU to fit Toviano wherever he feels comfortable.
Cooley led ACC safeties in pass breakups
Cooley led all ACC safeties with eight seven breakups in 2024. Few safeties were targeted as much as Cooley, but he made opposing offenses pay. He ranked top 10 in the conference in forced incompletion rate and completion percentage allowed.
In NC State’s bowl game, Cooley was targeted six times but allowed just three yards, according to PFF.
Where did Cooley rank as a high-school recruit?
Cooley was not a blue-chip recruit coming out of high school. According to the On3 Industry Rankings, he was the No. 953 ranked recruit and outside the top 100 at his position in the class of 2023. He signed with Maryland, where he spent one year before transferring to NC State.
Cooley took a redshirt with Maryland in 2023. He’ll be draft-eligible next year but has three years of eligibility remaining.
How did Cooley grade out against the run?
LSU safeties struggled as run defenders in 2024. It’s a big reason the position was needed in the transfer portal.
