Taje McCoy ‘Bled Orange’ Long Before Joining the Cowboys This Offseason

STILLWATER — Sometimes, well OK usually, mothers just know best.

There was no question where Oklahoma State outside linebacker Taje McCoy wanted to be when it came time for the  top 10 player in the state of Oklahoma’s 2023 class to sign.

“I was a big fan coming out of high school, so I definitely bleed orange,” McCoy said.

When the time came to make the decision, McCoy instead chose to spend his first two seasons with Deion Sanders at Colorado. At the time, his mother, Nichole McCoy, offered this piece of advice to her son.

“‘If it’s meant to be, it will still happen,’” Nichole McCoy said.

On Thursday night, McCoy’s mother can remind him how right she was when she sees him head into Boone Pickens Stadium for his first game as a Cowboy.

“It’s been a blessing,” McCoy said of his decision to transfer. “You know, I get to see my mom, my family, often now. It’s easier for them to come to the games.”

Nichole McCoy said transition at Oklahoma State when her son signed was a large reason he chose the Buffaloes instead. Former Cowboys defensive coordinator Derek Mason left the program around that time, so perhaps that contributed.

Regardless of the specifics, that was then. When McCoy entered the transfer portal in the spring, his priorities were clear. He wanted to come home and play in front of family. After all, not all of them could attend every game like his mother did.

“That played a huge factor,” McCoy said of his family, many of whom live in Oklahoma City. “And I know the history behind Oklahoma State and what they’ve done. That was a big thing for me too.”

McCoy could be well-positioned to add to that history this fall. He is one of three players listed as co-starters competing for the first-string outside linebacker position on the initial depth chart, and he is the only one at that spot with significant FBS experience.

In two seasons with Colorado, McCoy recorded four sacks and 11 quarterback hurries in addition to 24 total tackles. He affected the quarterback in some way on 13% of his pass-rush attempts last season.

“I like to play like myself, but I like to watch film on guys with similar body types,” McCoy said. “Like (former Cowboy) Collin Oliver, (Tampa Bay’s) Hasson Reddick, (Washington Commander) Von Miller, guys like that who like to use their speed and like bend around the corner.”

McCoy was never a guy who primarily played with one hand in the dirt when it came time to rush opposing quarterbacks, but under new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, it sounds like he might never do that again.

“We dropped back in coverage a few times, so you know it (playing standing up) just disguises what we doing on the play,” McCoy said.

The Colorado transfer said he will have to drop back into coverage more often than ever before. According to Pro Football Focus, only four of his 186 defensive snaps last season involved him playing coverage.

McCoy’s comments at the end of fall camp echo similar comments from other defenders who typically line up on or near the line of scrimmage.

“It’s been good for me because I feel like (that) just adds more value to me as a player,” McCoy said.

Of course, the football field isn’t the only place the linebacker has picked up new responsibilities this offseason. While he was in Colorado, his older sister, Ivory McCoy, had her first son, Iverson.

It certainly sounds like being a good uncle has become a priority for the new Cowboy.

“He wants to be involved in Iverson’s life a lot,” his mother said. “Put that first football or basketball or baseball in his hand. That is his dream. He said I’ve never had a younger sibling, so I’m going to make sure I spoil him because he was the baby with everybody.”

Despite being one of many new faces on the team this fall, McCoy should stand out during The Walk into Boone Pickens because he will be the one carrying his five-month-old nephew right up to the football stadium.

“Taje never touches the football field without me and him doing a special handshake,” Nichole McCoy said. “So his tradition now is because his nephew is here, every time they do The Walk, he will start with Iverson at the beginning, and then I will be waiting for him at the end to get Iverson and do our handshake that way.

“So it is going to be a joyous moment. I am sure I will cry. … Just to see he is happy where he’s at, he’s thriving where he’s at. It gets no better than that.”