Miami football continues momentum with transfer DT Marley Cook

The Miami football continued building momentum on the first day of the Early National Signing Period adding Middle Tennessee State transfer defensive tackle Marley Cook on Wednesday. Cook is the 114th-ranked transfer and 13th defensive lineman in the 2024 Portal. Cook adds DT depth and should compete to be a 2024 starter.

Cook is the second transfer DT to commit to the Miami football program. Former North Carolina State DT C.J. Clark committed to Miami over the weekend. Miami also has commitments for 2024 from Indiana center Ryan Carpenter and Vanderbilt safety Savion Riley. All four of the current Miami transfers will compete to be 2024 starters.

Cook will have one year of eligibility remaining after spending five seasons at Middle Tennessee State. In 2023 Cook tied his career high with 22 tackles and added six tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Cook also received interest from Ohio State in the portal.

In 2022 Cook had his best season with 22 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and one pass breakup. Cook signed with Middle Tennessee State in the 2019 Class as the 2,152 prospect, 29th center and 62nd signee in Mississippi. Cook is entering his sixth season after redshirting in 2019 and receiving a Covid year.

Cook has been a late-developing player in his career. Working under Miami DL coaches Joe Salave'a and Jason Taylor, Cook will have a chance to develop further in his one season with the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes are in transition at DT after losing Branson Deen and Leonard Taylor following this season.

Cook was named first-team All-Conference USA by Pro Football Focus in 2022. Middle Tennessee State named Cook a captain in 2023. Miami gains needed depth and experience at DT with the additions of Clark and Cook. Cook provides Miami with good size at 6'2 and 298 pounds.