At the beginning of the week on Monday, UGASports.com reported that sophomore outside linebacker Brenton Cox had been dismissed from the University of Georgia football team. He participated with the football team on the opening day of Fall Camp last week on Friday, August 2, and he was also with the team for UGA Fan Day on Saturday, August 3. However, he was not seen during the media viewing period of Monday afternoon’s practice.
During UGA football’s weekly press conference on Monday, defensive coordinator Dan Lanning and offensive coordinator James Coley were made available for questions. Here is what Coach Lanning said when asked about what he expects from Cox this season.
“That’s a good question,” sand Dan Lanning. “I would actually leave that up to Coach Smart at this time.”
After UGAsports.com broke the story of Cox’s potential dismissal, it was reported by numerous media outlets that he had entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. Yet, there was no official word from UGA on Cox being dismissed or transferring. Then shortly before 1:00 p.m. EST, news broke that Cox had transferred o the University of Florida, SEC Eastern Division rival of the Bulldogs.
And if you are wondering if he will be able to play this season, not per Southeastern Conference transfer rules that state an undergraduate student-athlete that transfers to another member school has to sit out one year.
Cox was a member of the Bulldogs’ 2018 recruiting class from Stockbridge High School in Stockbridge, GA. He was a 6-foot-4.5 and 247 lbs five-star prospect per 247Sports and ranked as the No. 5 overall player from the state of Georgia and the No. 23 player nationally overall. Last season, as a freshman, Cox playing in 13 of UGA’s 14 games where he tallied 20 tackles including 2 for losses and a QB sack.\
With Cox’s departure, Georgia will rely on a talented OLB group to step up in his absence this season.
2019 UGA OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
- Adam Anderson (19) | So. | 6-foot-5 | 225 lbs
- Robert Beal, Jr. (33) | RSo. | 6-foot-4 | 244 lbs
- Matthew Brown (24) | RFr. | 6-foot-2 | 210 lbs
- Walter Grant (84) | Jr. | 6-foot-4 | 245 lbs
- Jermaine Johnson (11) |Jr. | 6-foot-5 | 240 lbs
- Azeez Ojulari (13) | RFr. | 6-foot-3 | 250 lbs
- Nolan Smith ( 4) | Fr. | 6-foot-3 | 230 lbs