BREAKING: NC State Football Talent Announces Transfer to Tigers

Former NC State football nickel has committed to the LSU Tigers, bringing three years of eligibility to the SEC. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound North Carolina native entered the transfer portal on January 2, following his redshirt freshman season with the Wolfpack.

Cooley, who transferred to NC State after a redshirt year at Maryland, had an impressive 2024 season as a full-time starter in the Wolfpack secondary. Across 12 games, he recorded 39 tackles (2.5 for loss), one sack, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, six pass breakups, and two quarterback hurries.

Ranked as a three-star transfer prospect, Cooley is listed as the No. 237 overall player and the No. 32 cornerback in the portal by 247Sports.

During his high school career at Rolesville High School (N.C.), Cooley was a three-star recruit, ranking No. 988 nationally and No. 28 in North Carolina according to the 247Sports 2023 Composite rankings.

Cooley is among 17 NC State players to enter the transfer portal this offseason, including secondary members Bishop Fitzgerald, Devan Boykin, and Brandon Cisse. Despite these losses, head coach Dave Doeren and his staff have bolstered the secondary with 10 incoming transfers, including cornerbacks Jaren Sensabaugh (Missouri) and Jamel Johnson (Temple), as well as safety Jeremiah Johnson (Georgia State).