Brenton Cox Jr. during Saturday's loss to No. 1-ranked Georgia in Jacksonville. (Photo: Isabella Marley/UAA Communications)
Brenton Cox Jr. No Longer Member of Gators; Declares for NFL Draft
Monday, October 31, 2022 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Gators linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. stood in the same room five days earlier discussing the anticipation of facing No. 1-ranked Georgia.
On Monday, UF head coach Billy Napier stood in that very room at the Heavener Football Training Center, confirming an earlier report that Cox is no longer part of the team.
"Sometimes you have to make decisions in the best interest of the team," Napier said. "Being a football player at the University of Florida is a privilege. There are certainly expectations that come with that. We decided to move on."
Napier said Cox's exit was not a result of a specific incident. Napier added that he preferred to keep details in-house when pressed to provide specifics.
"It's a cumulative effect," Napier said. "We want to help Brenton going forward. But it's healthy for our team."
Florida's defense will be impacted by the loss of Cox, who transferred from Georgia after the 2018 season.
The 6-foot-3, 252-pound fifth-year junior, who signed with Georgia as a five-star prospect out Stockbridge, Ga., leads the Gators with eight tackles for loss and nine quarterback hurries. He also has two sacks after leading the team with 8.5 sacks a season ago, including four in the win over Florida State.
Cox has 35 tackles through eight games. Cox started his team-high 33rd consecutive game on Saturday in Florida's 42-20 loss to No. 1-ranked Georgia in Jacksonville. He finished with two tackles in a quiet performance overall.
The Gators play at Texas A&M on Saturday at noon.
On Monday, UF head coach Billy Napier stood in that very room at the Heavener Football Training Center, confirming an earlier report that Cox is no longer part of the team.
"Sometimes you have to make decisions in the best interest of the team," Napier said. "Being a football player at the University of Florida is a privilege. There are certainly expectations that come with that. We decided to move on."
2022 Gators Football Press Conference with @Coach_BNapier. #GoGators https://t.co/bPUtie2VTd
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 31, 2022
Napier said Cox's exit was not a result of a specific incident. Napier added that he preferred to keep details in-house when pressed to provide specifics.
"It's a cumulative effect," Napier said. "We want to help Brenton going forward. But it's healthy for our team."
Florida's defense will be impacted by the loss of Cox, who transferred from Georgia after the 2018 season.
The 6-foot-3, 252-pound fifth-year junior, who signed with Georgia as a five-star prospect out Stockbridge, Ga., leads the Gators with eight tackles for loss and nine quarterback hurries. He also has two sacks after leading the team with 8.5 sacks a season ago, including four in the win over Florida State.
Cox has 35 tackles through eight games. Cox started his team-high 33rd consecutive game on Saturday in Florida's 42-20 loss to No. 1-ranked Georgia in Jacksonville. He finished with two tackles in a quiet performance overall.
Napier said the Gators have multiple players with the ability to fill in after Cox's departure. Linebackers Justus Boone and Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr. are among the players likely to get additional playing time.
Meanwhile, Cox addressed his dismissal on Monday night in a Twitter post. He has declared for the NFL Draft.
— Brent Cox Jr. (@brenton_cox_) October 31, 2022
The Gators play at Texas A&M on Saturday at noon.
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