Gators tight end Kyle Pitts has developed into one of the team leaders on offense this offseason according to head coach Dan Mullen. (Photo: Kevin Camps/UAA Communications)
Gators Notebook: Mullen Impressed by Cox's Transition, Carter's Message, Grimes a Go, More Tidbits
Thursday, August 20, 2020 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Dan Mullen remains miffed why transfer linebacker Brenton Cox, Jr. didn't receive an eligibility waiver from the NCAA last season when he transferred from Georgia. However, a year later, Cox is primed to be an integral part of Florida's defense.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound redshirt sophomore transferred to UF last August and after sitting out the season, Cox has an opportunity to be a key contributor for a defense that lost two of its three leading tacklers from 2019: linebacker David Reese II and edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. Brenton Cox. Jr.
Cox has spent the past year acclimating to the program following his arrival from Georgia. As a five-star recruit from Stockbridge, Ga., Cox had 20 tackles and registered a career-high six in his first college start, Georgia's loss to Texas in the Sugar Bowl to cap the 2018 season.
Cox's blend of size, speed and athletic ability earned him a lot of attention on the recruiting trail. Mullen said now it's time to see what he can do for the Gators on the field. Cox is wearing No. 1 in preseason camp, the jersey number worn by Jacksonville Jaguars rookie cornerback CJ Henderson last season.
"I have high expectations for him no matter what jersey number,'' Mullen said. "We'll see if he stays the No. 1. I haven't done a roster yet, so we'll figure it all out as we move forward. But I do have really high expectations for him."
Mullen credited Cox for his work ethic and performance in the classroom as he waited to become eligible due to NCAA transfer rules. When Georgia defensive coordinator Mel Tucker and linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer left the Bulldogs after the 2018 season and Cox opted to transfer later that summer, speculation bubbled that Cox might benefit from the NCAA's recent trend of granting eligibility waivers to players who transfer due to extenuating circumstances.
Instead, the Gators never received word that Cox could play immediately. Now, they are eager to get him in the lineup, whether at inside linebacker or on the outside.
"Really worked hard in the offseason program,'' Mullen said. "I mean, [would] love to see some transparency on how all those things go through, the why and what causes it. But he did nothing but work, worked hard on scout team. He's a good player.
"We play guys at a lot of different positions. You've got to cross-train a lot of different guys. Especially a season like this, you don't know how things are going to shape up, so you better have the depth and versatility. But I think he's a guy that wants to play after college as well, and have the opportunity to play in the NFL. The more versatility you have the better, so he's a pretty versatile guy."
CARTER SHARES LOSS
Gators defensive lineman Zachary Carter posted on social media Thursday that his family has suffered difficult times and lost a cherished friend during the coronavirus pandemic. Carter made headlines Monday for being one of four players identified publicly for opting out of practice due to concerns over COVID-19.
Carter posted on Twitter that he has "been in deep thought lately since COVID-19" and that his father was "at his lowest in July and August." Carter continued: "Then on August 3rd, my mom's friend of 29 years died of COVID-19. She was a true Gator fan who came to a lot of my games. Looking forward to ballin out in honor of all COVID-19 fighters and victims. Go Gators!"
Mullen said Thursday afternoon that he had not spoken to Carter about his plans to play but that he understands the concern of players.
"I think it's tough on everybody,'' Mullen said. "These are unique times. Our job is just to kind of help guide them and manage them and support them in their decisions." GRIMES IN
Receiver Trevon Grimes, who like Carter opted out of practice early in the week, announced his intentions via Twitter on Thursday night.
Grimes joined the program in Mullen's first season and has steadily progressed after transferring from Ohio State. Grimes hauled in 33 catches for 491 yards and three touchdowns in 2019 and is expected to play a bigger role in 2020 with the departure of four senior receivers from last season.
RICHARDSON A FAST STUDY
Freshman quarterback Anthony Richardson's brief time at UF has certainly been eventful.
As an early enrollee from Gainesville Eastside High, Richardson got an early start on his college career by participating in a few local bowl practices before the Gators departed for Miami to play in the Orange Bowl. And of course, his first semester as a UF student was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Richardson has shown improvement and made the most of the experience according to Mullen.
"From what I've seen so far, he picks things up really fast, which is great,'' Mullen said. "He's taken a lot in and learned a lot from our ability to have all these different meetings. I'm really excited about his future."
Redshirt sophomore linebacker David Reese (6-2, 240) played in two games as a 2018 freshman and before he had a chance to prove he was ready for more playing time in 2019, Reese suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon and was lost for the season. David Reese
That was in July 2019. Thirteen months later, Reese is finally back at full speed.
"He's out there playing, mixing him up at linebacker spots,'' Mullen said. "It's good to see him fully recovered. He's back cleared 100 percent. He's catching back up. He's doing a really good job."
A native of Fort Pierce, Fla., Reese has a familiar face around as he gets back on the field. His older brother, offensive lineman Stewart Reese, is a graduate transfer from Mississippi State. The elder Reese entered the transfer portal in the spring and signed with the Gators for his final season of eligibility.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"Guys like their jersey numbers and the number actually does mean something to guys as a player. It did to me. But it's a colossal pain in the rear end." – Mullen on the challenge of fulfilling number requests
EXTRA POINTS
Speaking of jersey numbers, two players have been wearing No. 0 early in training camp – freshman receiver Ja'Quavion Fraziars and defensive back Trey Dean III. While Mullen said the roster is not official, if anyone wears No. 0 for the Gators, it will be the first time in program history according to the media guide. Why No. 0? "Because everybody needs a single digit so thankfully the NCAA gave up one more opportunity to have a single digit. I'll get the math department to handle the relativity of zero,'' Mullen quipped … Mullen said Dean continues to split time at safety and the nickel position in the secondary, a trend that developed last season … Asked what the plan would be in case he was not able to coach, Mullen said "It would depend on the situation … if I'm gone for a couple of weeks, I have a plan but I don't go into [it] because then I jinx myself."
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