Coming out of high school, Bryan Cox Jr. was a three-star rated prospect from Saint Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL) in the 2012 recruiting class. As a three-star, Cox was overlooked in a Gators class that was filled with four and five-star athletes.
In the Gators’ 2012 recruiting cycle the coaching staff reeled in 22 new players, 17 of them higher rated than Cox. Seven of the players from the class are actively in the NFL, three of them from the defensive line. This class was loaded with stars.
Since arriving on campus in July of 2012, Cox has had the experience of playing behind NFL draft picks Dante Fowler Jr., Jon Bullard, and Alex McAllister on the defensive line. All three were apart of the 2012 class. Even heading into his final year as a Gator, Cox is in the shadows of another Gator defensive lineman, Caleb Brantley.
“Caleb Brantley could be as dominant as of a defensive tackle as anyone in the country,” Gators defensive coordinator Geoff Collins said. “He has really improved his technique and he is confident.” Cox himself had a few things to say on him (Brantley), “We haven’t seen the best of him (Brantley)… He’s so explosive and has such a destructive presence.”
Florida loses its top two pass rushers from a year ago with Bullard and McAllister departing for the NFL draft. Both players accumulated six-and-a half (6.5) sacks last season which led the team, but don’t expect a drop off in the sack numbers. “I can pick that up a little bit.” Cox said. “In the middle you’re going to have to account for 57 (Caleb Brantley)… I’m going to be coming off one edge and then we’ll have Jabari (Zuniga), KD (Keivonnis Davis), and all kinds of guys rotating in.”
Cox is making the transition this year to the other side of the defensive line. “I moved over to the left. Last year I played a lot of right side, but I’m actually more comfortable on the left,” he said.
This off-season, the redshirt senior was named to the 2016 Ted Hendricks watch list, which is awarded to the best defensive end in the country. This isn’t surprising, even for a kid who has been forgotten in his class. The redshirt senior has put up tremendous numbers since suiting up in the Orange and Blue.
He redshirted his first year on campus and saw limited action the following year, collecting only 5 tackles. In two of the first three games of the 2014 season Cox didn’t register a tackle and it seemed he’d have a repeat of the previous years. However, in the fourth game against Tennessee, he turned the heads of Gator nation.
Just two days before the big SEC showdown in Knoxville, Cox left Gainesville to attend his grandfather’s funeral who passed away earlier that week. Cox didn’t land in Tennessee until 10:30 p.m. on that Friday night. With a noon kickoff looming just hours ahead, no one thought he would have the career day he had. Cox racked up a career best three (3) sacks, on a day where Tennessee’s Quarterback Justin Worley was getting hurried or hit every play.
The biggest sack of the day for Cox came in the fourth quarter on a 2nd and third situation with Tennessee close to midfield. Worley rolled out to his left after being flushed from the pocket and was immediately hit from behind by Cox for a loss of five. In a 9-7 game, that changed the play calling for the Vols on third down and eventually gave the ball back to the Gators. “It feels great,” Cox said. “I just went out there and tried the best I could to generate some rush.” He certainly did that. After the game against Tennessee, Cox recorded four or more tackles in four of the next seven games. He began to show he can make a name out of himself.
Entering his fourth season last year, expectations still weren’t exponentially high on Cox with him still being behind the names of Bullard and McAllister, but he a had a phenomenal year. Starting 13 of the 14 games of the year, Cox was a force as a edge rusher. He piled up career highs in tackles (40) and tackles-for-loss (10.5). Cox was also tied for third on the team in sacks with three-and-a half (3.5). He collected seven or more tackles in three games last year, including a career high 9 verse Vanderbilt. Also, fans can’t forget about the game changing fumble recovery he had against Tennessee, which eventually led to a Kelvin Taylor touchdown run.
With the success he has had the last few seasons, Cox continues to work to be the best player he can be. During the Gators team media day a few weeks ago, defensive coordinator Geoff Collins gave praise to Cox, “Bryan Cox Jr. and Jordan Sherit are the hardest working defensive players he’s ever had.”
He had the pleasure of growing up with an NFL coach as a father. Both of their seasons run together, so it is hard for Cox Sr. to constantly follow his son’s game. They talk often and his dad has some advice for his son for him this year, “He is proud of me, but he says I have to pick up a few more things in order to reach that elite status,” Cox said. “Work on the small things and then, you know, everything else will happen.
Cox is ready to be the leader and playmaker for this group in his final year in the Orange and Blue. He has the skillset to be one of the best lineman on the team this year. With a breakout season, Cox should be another defensive lineman drafted from the University of Florida.