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Florida Football: Brenton Cox couldn’t convince the NFL of his upside

By Benjamin Henderson

Sep 17, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. (1) pressures South Florida Bulls quarterback Gerry Bohanon (11) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. (1) pressures South Florida Bulls quarterback Gerry Bohanon (11) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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When Brenton Cox was kicked off Florida football midseason it was a bold and surprising move by Billy Napier. While Cox had tendencies to go rouge, he was still an impactful player for the Florida Gators.

And in a draft that saw multiple members of the defensive side get drafted into a league that doesn’t actually care about past baggage, it was a bit surprising to see him go undrafted.

Florida Football: Undrafted

Coming into the 2022 season, Cox had the makings of a Day 2 pick in the NFL draft. He dealt with injuries during 2021, but flashed his talent against FSU when he racked up four sacks.

During the opening game against Utah, Cox frequently overshot his gap and didn’t maintain lane discipline.

But as the season progressed, he genuinely got better at sticking to his assignments and the Day 2 projections were still intact.

Then the announcement came that he was removed from the Florida Gators, making it the second he had departed after coming to Florida from Georgia.

The reason for his dismissal was never revealed, but it wasnt severe enough to keep him out of Florida’s Pro Day.

But between his NFL Combine and Pro Day performances, Cox didn’t stand out as a salvageable project that had spent the last six months working out and getting more athletic. And whatever he said during the interview phase apparently wasn’t convincing either.

And that’s how Brenton Cox, despite having projections that still had him going in the fourth or fifth round, went undrafted.

Even more telling is that Cox didnt sign Saturday as an undrafted free agent and was still available Sunday.

Someone will give him a chance because that’s how the NFL works. But any built-in goodwill or faith the NFL had in him has disappeared and he is going to need a standout training camp to make it and survive in the NFL.

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