Brenton Cox, who was on UGA’s roster just last week, could be playing for the archrival Florida Gators this season.
Florida coach Dan Mullen told reporters on Monday that (1) the Gators are applying for a waiver for Cox and (2) that he’s confident that it will be granted.
Strange, but true – and no one could blame Mullen for trying as wacky as the NCAA waiver process has been over the last year.
“We’re definitely going to apply for a waiver for him and see,” Mullen said Monday. “I think, we hope, we feel good about it, of having him be able to play. I think you look at all the previous scenarios that are out there around the country.
“We feel we have a good opportunity.”
Mullen did not specify how Florida will appeal for a waiver for the former 5-star recruit. However, the Orlando Sentinel’s Edgar Thompson pointed out that UGA lost both defensive coordinator Mel Tucker (who coached and recruited Cox) and linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer (who recruited Cox).
“We’re not going to get into that part of it; we’re gonna do it how we do it, do it through the NCAA,” Mullen said, per the Sentinel’s website.
“It’s not something we’re gonna try to play out publicly to influence anything one way or the other,” Mullen said. “We’re gonna just go through the channels and do it the right way.”
Normally a player in Cox’s situation would have to sit out one season due to NCAA transfer rules. However, several high-profile transfers, including former UGA quarterback Justin Fields (now at Ohio State), have been granted immediate eligibility due to extenuating circumstances. Florida may be appealing some type of extenuating circumstances on behalf of Cox that are unknown to the general public.
Last year as a freshman, Cox played in 13 games at outside linebacker, starting in the Sugar Bowl in place of an injured D’Andre Walker.
This season at UGA, Cox was expected to participate in a backup role, due to the emergence of fellow sophomores Azeez Ojulari and Adam Anderson — along with incoming freshman Nolan Smith, the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit from last year.
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