Gators Cox, Ivie Impressed Scouts Last Week in Shrine Game
Thursday, January 26, 2017 | Football
Defensive linemen Bryan Cox and Joey Ivie played in the East-West Shrine Game last Saturday.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Former Florida defensive linemen Bryan Cox, Jr. and Joey Ivie continued their preparation for the National Football League last week down in St. Petersburg, Fla. at the 2017 Shrine Game.
Both three-year starters for the Gators, Cox and Ivie have spent the week preparing to play in the East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field. Despite their team, the East, falling to the West 10-3, both players showed out on the field, in the box score and off the field.
Cox was second on the East in tackles with five, but also recorded one tackle for loss. Meanwhile, Ivie notched just three tackles but tallied one sack for a loss of seven yards.
Ivie was one of five players on either team to record a sack. The Tampa, Fla. native caught up with the media after his standout performance.
VIDEO: @JoeyIvie reflects on a great week at the @Shrine_Game in St. Petersburg. #GatorsAlways pic.twitter.com/oMkWJnQsfp
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) January 21, 2017
In addition, HogsHaven.com, who covers the Washington Redskins, recently did a draft profile on Ivie.
Despite missing two games in 2016 with a broken thumb, Ivie had his best season as a Gator as he totaled 26 tackles, 2.5 sacks, seven quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a blocked kick. Pro Football Focus graded him at an 80.1 (on a 1-100 scale) during the regular season — one of the better marks on the team — while crediting him with 22 total QB pressures (their own stat).
Joey Ivie (@GatorsFB) with the sack!
— CollegeFootball 24/7 (@NFL_CFB) January 21, 2017
"He's like the Energizer Bunny. He never stops." - @MikeMayock #ShrineGame
The 6-foot-3, 269-pound Cox was all over the field making plays last weekend. In addition to his five tackles in the game, NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock praised his work ethic and motor throughout the game.
This play below is one reason why.
Doesn't finish, but Bryan Cox gets penetration on the closed side here on this TFL. He and Deatrich Wise are tops. pic.twitter.com/7bnxBMZ97A
— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) January 21, 2017
In 2016 at Florida, Cox had 19 tackles and 2.5 tackles-for loss in his final season at UF that was hampered by a pair of injuries. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla. native had his best season as a collegian in 2015 where he played in all 14 games (13 starts). During Florida's 10-4 campaign, Cox totaled 45 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
NFL.com's Chase Goodbread wrote about Cox and a few others with famous fathers in the professional sports following the Shrine Bowl. Cox's father, Bryan, played in the NFL and is currently the defensive line coach for the Super Bowl bound Atlanta Falcons.
Cox did an interview following one of the practices last week and talked about his technique and the opportunity that was there for him in this game.
#ShrineGame Interview: @GatorsFB DE Bryan Cox Jr. talks technique & mentality w/@TDavenport_NFL after practice: https://t.co/21J7y7NQ9V
— Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan) January 19, 2017
Cox played defensive end throughout his career as a Gator, while Ivie did his work on the inside as a defensive tackle.
Meanwhile, linebacker Alex Anzalone and safety Marcus Maye will be in Mobile, Ala., this week for the Senior Bowl.
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