UW signs former Michigan State linebacker Cole DeMarzo

LARAMIE -- Mark Dantonio didn't have a solid, concrete plan for Cole DeMarzo, all Michigan State's coach knew then was the South Carolina product could play football.

"He's a player we looked at and said, 'he'll find a place,'" he told reporters on National Signing Day back in December of 2019.

DeMarzo did indeed find his place, serving in a hybrid role, bouncing between strong safety and outside linebacker for the Spartans. Unfortunately for the former 3-star recruit from Hilton Head, most of that was showcased on the practice field.

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DeMarzo played in just one regular season game during his two years in East Lansing. That figures to change in a big way in 2022.

And it won't come inside Spartan Stadium.

DeMarzo made it official Saturday, signing with the University of Wyoming and becoming Craig Bohl's second-know commitment this offseason from the NCAA Transfer Portal, joining Snow College quarterback Evan Svoboda.

DeMarzo, who is listed at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, will man the outside linebacker spot for the Cowboys and has four years of eligibility remaining.

DeMarzo, who reportedly runs a 4.5 40-yard dash, was named to the South Carolina 4A All-State team after registering 102 tackles, three sacks and 10 pass breakups during his senior campaign. He also picked off two passes. ESPN.com ranked DeMarzo the No. 1 linebacker prospect in the state.

That caught the attention of more than a dozen schools, including Air Force, Cincinnati, Appalachian State and others.

MSU was DeMarzo's lone Power-5 offer.

During the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, DeMarzo never saw the field in any of the Spartans eight games. However, the true freshman did earn scout team co-Defensive Player of the Week honors leading up to the 27-24 upset road win over rival Michigan. He was again named the team's top scout team player the week before the victory over Northwestern.

Last fall, the freshman appeared in just one regular season game. That was a 31-13 road victory over Rutgers in early October. DeMarzo didn't record any stats.

DeMarzo played the last two seasons under former Wyoming defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton.