Brenton

Cox Jr.

Cox (6'4/253) turned in a solid 2021 performance with 41 total tackles (26 solo), four passes defended and one forced fumble. Based on some of the numbers and tape he’s put out, he looks to be one of the strongest players at the position in 2022. According to Pro Football Focus, Cox has 81 pressures since 2020. That’s good for third-highest among SEC edge rushers. How he expands upon that in the upcoming season will be something to keep an eye on.

Cox (6'4/253) had a successful season in 2021, recording 41 total tackles (26 solo), four passes defended and one forced fumble. He’s also successfully joining the ranks of some of the best Gators in Florida history. According to Pro Football Focus, Cox has the second-most pressures in a season since 2014 (48). That puts him behind only Dante Fowler Jr. (51) and ahead of Jonathan Greenard (47) and Jachai Polite (41). It will be interesting to watch how he builds upon that in the upcoming season.

Cox had eight sacks on the season entering the game but added a quartet of takedowns against Seminole QB Jordan Travis, as the Florida defensive front hassled their in-state counterparts all afternoon in a low-scoring affair. This was the second standout performance for Cox this season, as he also racked up five sacks against Tennessee, and he added four solo tackles and a forced fumble to a robust stat line. The performance from Cox and others on the defensive side of the ball helped the Gators earn their sixth win of the season in their first game since HC Dan Mullen was fired, and the victory ensured the team will earn a bowl berth despite a lackluster close to the season.

Cox (6'4/253), who started all 12 games for the Gators last season, is working his way back from a foot injury. HC Dan Mullen didn’t sound too concerned when asked about the standout edge rusher, saying that he’s seen enough from Cox on the field to justify holding him out of Sunday’s scrimmage. Cox is working his way towards Florida’s Sept. 4 opener against FAU, and it sounds like he’ll be good to go for that one.

Now a year removed from transferring from Georgia to Florida, Cox is ready to be the Gators’ next great pass-rusher. At 6-foot-4 and 245-pounds, the former five-star recruit is a menace with his speed as much as he is with his strength. Gators offensive tackle Stone Forsythe said, “He’s one of them speed rushers that can change it up ... he has a bunch of different moves and stuff like that.” Forsythe went as far as to compare Cox to former Gators end Jachai Polite, who was drafted by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Cox will get a chance to show off his progress in Florida’s season opener against Ole Miss on Sept. 26.

Gators HC Dan Mullen was unable to provide an update on the situation during Wednesday’s SEC teleconference. Cox (6'4/245) has been stuck in limbo with the governing body since transferring over to Florida from Georgia back in August. We would understand if the Gators are feeling a little frustrated on this one, as there’s little conceivable reason for a waiver request to remain outstanding one month into the campaign.

When Cox (6'4/245) will receive a decision on his immediate eligibility waiver request is unknown, and when it comes to the NCAA it’s difficult to nail down a concrete timeframe. The sophomore defensive end spent last season at Georgia, and he’s been practicing with the team since enrolling at Florida in early August. Cox’s reason for requesting the waiver has not been made public, but as we’ve seen with other decisions made this summer you never know what the NCAA is looking for.

Monster get for the Gators, here. Cox (6'4/245) initially joined Georgia as a five-star recruit and went on to play in 13-of-14 contests as a true freshman, recording 20 tackles, a sack and three passes defensed in that space. He waited until late to hit the transfer portal, entering at the beginning of the week. Per Alderman, Cox is set to practice with the Gators on Friday, having already officially enrolled at the university. Barring a late waiver, Cox will not be eligible to play this fall.

Cox was a four or five-star recruit -- depending on what source you were looking at -- who was a solid contributor for the Bulldogs in 2018 as a freshman; playing in 13 of 14 games for Georgia and finishing the year with 20 tackles. He also was arrested this April on marijuana-related charges, and is facing a one-game suspension because of it. If Cox does transfer, it’ll be a big loss for the defense, and he’ll likely have to sit out the 2019 season with three more years of eligibility starting in 2020.

Cox was arrested along with fellow LB Robert Beal on Tuesday and charged with misdemeanor possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. These were the fifth and sixth arrests of Georgia players this offseason. Unless word comes down the pike indicating to the contrary, Cox and Beal are most likely going to be sitting out against Vanderbilt come the start of the season on Aug. 31.