#0 Tamarcus Cooley Season 2026
Starter in all 13 games at safety in his first season at LSU in 2025 … Joined the Tigers after a year at North Carolina State (2024) and a season at Maryland (2023) … Key contributor on LSU defense that showed significant improvement in 2025 … LSU led the SEC in interceptions (17) and was the only team in the league to have more interceptions than TD passed allowed (14) … Brings good instincts and a knack for finding the football to the secondary … Hard-hitter who is also excels in coverage … Can play either safety position or nickel back … In 3 seasons, has appeared in 28 games with 22 starts … 113 career tackles and 4 interceptions … Older brother played college football at Troy, Georgia Tech and Louisville … Majoring in interdisciplinary studies.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2025 at LSU)
Starter at safety in all 13 games in what was his first season at LSU … Tallied 70 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions for a much-improved LSU defense … Recorded a career-high 10 tackles against Houston in the Texas Bowl … Had 9 tackles in win over Florida and 7 against South Carolina, Texas A&M and Arkansas … Interceptions came against South Carolina and Florida … Had 6 tackles and 1.5 tackles for losses at Ole Miss.
REDSHIRT FRESHMAN SEASON (2024 at North Carolina State)
Appeared in all 13 games, starting 9 times at nickel … Had best game of season in his North Carolina State finale, intercepting 2 passes and recording career-best 9 tackles against East Carolina in the Military Bowl … Interceptions came on consecutive East Carolina possessions in the fourth quarter … Both interceptions stopped East Carolina drives in NC State territory … Other big outing came vs. Duke with 8 tackles and a 70-yard fumble return … Fumble return came at NC State 10-yard line just before halftime … Led to a NC State field goal with one-second remaining in first half … Had first career sack and a forced fumble vs. Wake Forest.
FRESHMAN SEASON (2023 at Maryland)
Appeared in 2 games … Recorded 4 tackles … Saw action against Towson in season-opener and then against Virginia in week 3 … Had 3 tackles in collegiate debut vs. Towson.
HIGH SCHOOL
Second-rated defensive back in North Carolina at Rolesville High School according to ESPN … Selected to 2022 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … As a senior in 2022, hauled in 31 receptions for 426 yards and 8 touchdowns … Also rushed 19 times for 121 yards and a TD … Defensively, compiled 54 total tackles, 40 solo tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and a fumble recovery … As a junior, recorded 51 tackles including 3 sacks, 2 tackles for loss and 2 interceptions on defense and 14 receptions for 102 yards and 3 touchdowns on offense.
TAMARCUS COOLEY’S CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 10 vs. Houston, 2025 Texas Bowl
Tackles for Loss: 1.5 at Ole Miss, 2025
Sacks: 1.0 vs. Wake Forest, 2024
Interceptions: 2 vs. East Carolina, 2024 Military Bowl
Passes Defended: 3 vs. Northern Illinois, 2024