After not hearing his name called during the first two days of the 2024 NFL Draft, former Cyclone cornerback T.J. Tampa was selected 130th overall by the Baltimore Ravens where he will look to climb the depth chart.
Despite entering the draft as one of the top corners, Tampa was the 16th corner to be taken in the draft, and third in the fourth round.
Tampa will join one of the top defenses in the NFL as a member of the Ravens. In the 2023 season, Baltimore led the league in forced turnovers (31), tied for the second-fewest passing touchdowns (18) and allowed less than 200 passing yards per game.
Just like many other rookies, Tampa will be fighting for playing time when he joins the Ravens this fall. Baltimore boasts a stacked defensive back room that includes Marlon Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton and fellow rookie corner Nate Wiggins.
Wiggins was the Ravens’ first selection in the 2024 draft at 30th overall, and was the third corner taken off the board.
Tampa will see a familiar face in Baltimore as he is reconnected with former Iowa State tight end Charlie Kolar, who the Ravens selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
As he embarks on the next chapter of his football career, Tampa leaves behind a legacy as one of the Cyclones’ most shutdown corners in recent history. In his four seasons at Iowa State, Tampa compiled 107 total tackles, three interceptions and 19 pass breakups in 37 games.
With Tampa’s selection, Iowa State has had a player selected in the NFL Draft for a fourth consecutive season.
