The Florida Gators added former 5-star linebacker Brenton Cox on Friday and is officially on the Gators’ roster, a source confirmed with Gator Country.
Cox was a member of Georgia’s 2018 recruiting class. A blue chip linebacker (No. 11 in the country according to the ESPN 300) from Stockbridge, Georgia he picked the Bulldogs over offers from just about every other SEC school and power 5 team in the country. He played in 13-of-14 games for the Bulldogs last season, making his first start in the Sugar Bowl, finishing the season with 20 tackles and a sack. Cox was projected to be a starting outside linebacker for the Bulldogs heading into spring practice.
Last spring Cox was arrested with his teammate, fellow linebacker Robert Beal, for marijuana possession and there were reports out of Athens that he was clashing with teammates and staff. That ultimately led to him deciding to put himself in the transfer portal on August 5th.
There is no indication whether Cox will be eligible to play immediately. The NCAA has granted waivers to high profile transfers like Tate Martell (Ohio State to Miami), Justin Fields (Georgia to Ohio State) an Chris Steele (Florida to Oregon to USC) but the NCAA’s history with granting these waivers is spotty and inconsistent. Also, in 2018 the SEC lifted restrictions on intra-conference transfers but that is only for graduate transfers or players leaving a school under NCAA sanctions. Cox is not a graduate transfer and Georgia is not currently under NCAA sanctions, so by our understanding of the rule he would need to petition the SEC for a waiver as well as the NCAA to be eligible in 2019.
Regardless, adding a player with Cox’s ability is a good get for the Gators, who will lose Jon Greenard after the 2019 season.