WATCH: Tamarcus Cooley Talks Before NC State’s Rivalry Game vs. UNC

Redshirt Freshman starting Nickel Tamarcus Cooley met with the media yesterday after practice leading up to NC State’s rivalry game against UNC this Saturday. You can watch the video ABOVE, and read the transcript BELOW.

This is your first time playing in the rivalry, but you’re familiar with it. What does this rivalry mean to you?

It means a lot to me. I know a lot of people that played for Carolina.

I grew up a Carolina fan, so my family are Carolina fans. Just playing there means a lot.

Are they going to be wearing Woolpack red? I hope so. I hope not that blue.

How good was it for your soul to see your brother last week?

It felt good playing with my older brother. He didn’t really play because he’s still hurting a bit, but it means a lot.

I hate to say this, but he’s got a lot. He’s got something to brag about for the rest of our lives. Hopefully, one day we’ll team up.

How have you seen yourself improve over the course of this year? What do you think you’re doing better now than you were at the start of the year?

I improved in man coverage. I just happened to step up. I’ve been a leader in my room.

I’ve improved in a lot of ways.

What was it about NC State when you decided to come here over UNC? What was it about them that led you to pick them over the team you grew up rooting for?

Just the people here.

UNC is a little cocky. I’m not no cocky person. I just fell in love with NC State.

Is it difficult in that situation. You have that team allegiance and sort of set it to the side and say, ‘okay, I’m going to look at this not through the prism of a Carolina fan, but look through it as somebody who’s trying to make the best decision for me for my next three, four years?

Yeah, of course. Carolina does have great people. Just NC State people still do more.

What’s it like preparing for an offense like Carolina that has a pretty elite running back in Omarion Hampton?

Yeah, Omarion is a really good running back. Really good team overall. Just got to step up and play our game.

You know many of their players, their camps, their recruiting visits, or anybody you still chit-chat with.

I talk to Jordan Shipp almost every week.

What’s the vibe around here? You’re still one game away from being bowl eligible. What’s the vibe around the guys?

Locked in, our seniors, I know they want to go out with a bang, especially against Carolina. So, just being locked in and ready to play.

You have so much time left in your college career, but for the Seniors this is their last regular season game.

Well, I know in my heart I’m going to do everything I can do to help the guys get to a bowl game and beat Carolina.

We’ve got a lot of good seniors that I look up to. I’m not even the type of guy to look up to people, but the two that you named (Davin Vann & Aydan White) are really good players. I know I’m going to do whatever I can do to help the guys.