South Carolina quarterback Collin Hill (15) scrambles away from Florida linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Brenton Cox Returns to Gators Football for Another Year

Florida Gators linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. decided to opt out of entering the draft to come back and play for head coach Billy Napier.

Before the draft, college players can put in paperwork to find out what their grade would be. This helps players find out what round they possibly would be picked in. After Cox put in his paperwork, he received a grade of a third or fourth round pick. These estimates were one of the few things that changed Cox’s mind into coming back to Florida.

Brenton Cox’s career at Florida

Cox for his first year and a half as collegiate football player attended the University of Georgia Athens in 2018. Halfway through his second season he made the decision to transfer to Florida and earned a redshirt. In 2020, he started in all 12 games for the Gators, racked up 41 tackles and four sacks.

Cox suffered from a foot injury during 2020 and was not sure if he could play to the best of his abilities in the 2021 season. However, this past season Cox started in all 13 games and committed 8.5 sacks.

He said he felt like he had more to do at Florida and his injury played a role in him wanting to come back and prove something to himself and the Gator nation. Every season his sack record increased and this upcoming season he looks towards breaking the sack record of 13.

Sets Goals for Next Season

Cox talked about during the press conference that next season he plans on going for a sack every half. To do that, he will be grinding and playing hard every chance he gets in every play.

His confidence and determination helped him get 4 sacks in the FSU game and when he had 4 tackle-for-losses in the UCF game. He believes that opponents will not be able to stop him and can do more than what people think because of his confidence in himself.

Gators’ Defense and New Outside Linebacker Coach

As the team goes to spring practice and learns to work with the new players and coaches, the defense’s goal stay the same: sack the quarterback. Cox mentioned that he is in the tight five this year instead of lose nine. According to him, it is a lot more difficult and quicker. Playing in this type of defense, his experience comes from high school when his team tried this defense.

The outside linebackers rely on new coach Mike Peterson. Peterson, a former Gator, aids the players with corrections and pushing them to go as hard as they can. Before Peterson came to Florida, Cox said he did his research on the new coach so that he knew the expectations.

When Cox starts to not play hard, Peterson tells him that “if he is not in the TV box by the time the play is over then it is a loaf.” This made Cox want to work harder.

About Molly Cooper

Molly is a fourth-year journalism major specializing in sports and media and working on a certificate in sports management at the University of Florida.

Check Also

Orange & Blue Sports Network

Catch the student-led broadcasts from the College of Journalism and Communications right here.

LIVE THREAD: National Signing Day

Here’s an updated thread of all the recruits who picked the Gator hat today! RB …

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

During last weekend’s NFL Wild Card round, the Steelers made a statement by handing the Dolphins a …

Houston Looking For an Upset in Foxborough

The saying has always been “it’s hard to beat a good team twice,” and in …

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing each other once …

Possible Additions to McElwain’s Recruiting Class Visiting this Weekend

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, the Gators are hosting several talented …

Florida Gymnastics Prepares for Season Opener

https://vimeo.com/198372157 GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Gator gymnastics team will kick off their season this …

Surprised Gators Promote Randy Shannon To Defensive Coordinator? You Shouldn’t Be

Florida’s head coach, Jim McElwain, announced Friday morning that Randy Shannon would be making the …

Quarterbacks in Spotlight for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Wild Card kicks off Saturday and the quarterback situations could not be any more different. On …

College Football Playoff Shakes Up Schedule

The College Football Playoff was a success in its first year. Yet, that doesn’t stop …

Michael Jordan Speaks out about Shootings, Police Officers

NBA great Michael Jordan opened up about his thoughts about shootings of African-Americans and the …

Treon Harris to Transfer

With the college football season approaching, the Florida Gators have announced that former starting QB …

USA Basketball Wins Second Exhibition Game

Just a few short days after their big win over Argentina, team USA won its …

Charlotte Is No Longer The Home Of The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The House Bill 2 came between Charlotte, North Carolina and the 2017 All-Star Game. The …

Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their three-game winning streak. The Rays defeated the Oakland …

MLB Preview Tonight

It’s summer time—the best time to go to a baseball game and experience the atmosphere. …

Braves Begin Series With Rockies

The Atlanta Braves (33-62) open up a four-game road series with the Rockies (43-51) tonight …

Marlins To Close Out Series With The Phillies

The Miami Marlins are in the middle of a crucial ten game span against NL East …

Rays Crush Rockies 11-3, Face A’s Next

In the midst of a terrible season that has seen the Tampa Bay Rays (37-57) …

American League Second Half Outlook

The second half of the baseball season is in full swing which translates to? Pennant races. Teams …

National League Evening Preview

Tonight is a busy night for the National League in the MLB. Starting with the …

Big 12 Looks To Expand

Following a Tuesday meeting between Big 12 presidents, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the …

LSU Looks To Capitalize On Its Opportunity

The Louisiana State University Tigers will enter the 2016 college football season with high expectations, …

Muschamp Helps Close Out SEC Media Days 2016

It wasn’t Will Muschamps first SEC Media Days experience, but 2016 marked the first time …

Phil Mickelson Leads British Open After First Day

The 145th annual 2016 British Open is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The …

Missouri’s Football Crisis: Rebuilding A Program

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Barry Odom took the stand as Missouri’s head …

Second Half Of MLB Season Begins

The All-Star Break is a good time for teams to rest up and reform themselves …

British Open Underway

The 145th Open Championship is already underway at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Welcome …

NASCAR: Blaney Wins; Controversy Abounds At Martinsville

Last season, Ryan Blaney entered Martinsville in a must-win situation to advance to the Championship …