The Vault Files: Tyler Cochran
Veteran Presence, New Address
- By: Nathan Mook and Tom Harkness
Today’s subject of The Vault Files, Tyler Cochran, is a well-traveled veteran and one of the newest additions to the Rhode Island Rams. Healthy and motivated, he joins Nathan Mook of The Vault Network to discuss his plan to help stabilize a URI program searching for consistency and identity under Archie Miller.
Rhode Island is counting on Cochran to help stabilize a program in flux. The 6'3", 225-pound redshirt senior guard from Bolingbrook, Illinois, arrives in Kingston after a winding journey through college basketball — one that included stops at three different Mid-American Conference schools (Northern Illinois, Ball State, and Toledo) before spending last year on the roster at Minnesota. Despite missing the entire 2024–25 season due to complications from a preseason foot surgery, Cochran received a medical hardship waiver and returns for a rare sixth year of eligibility, thanks to both the injury and a COVID-era exemption.
Across 115 career games (68 starts), Cochran has posted averages of 11.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, shooting 47.3% from the field and 34% from three — with defensive consistency and physicality among his signature traits.
Cochran began his career at Northern Illinois in 2019, where he appeared in 43 games over two seasons. After a modest freshman campaign, he broke out as a sophomore, averaging 15.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.7 steals per game across 12 starts. He then transferred to Ball State for the 2021–22 season, starting 29 of 31 games while tallying 11.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and a MAC-leading 2.0 steals per contest.
His MAC journey continued with a two-year stint at Toledo, where he started 27 of 41 games and averaged 13.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. During the 2023–24 campaign — his final active season — Cochran earned Second Team All-MAC honors, was selected to the MAC All-Defensive Team, and was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 14.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.9 steals.
For the full article and video interview with Tyler Cochran, click the link below: