SOURCES: UF Linebacker Brenton Cox Jr Will Miss Portion of 2021 Season After Injuring Foot

Multiple sources close to and within the University of Florida football program have reported to Dawg Sports that starting linebacker Brenton Cox Jr could miss a significant portion of fall camp or the 2021 season.

Cox suffered a foot injury during the 2020 season, and surgery on the injury resulted in a screw being inserted into his foot. Sources close to Cox went on to say that he would miss at least “a few months” following surgery, and that his recovery will stretch into 2021 fall camp.

The University of Florida has not made any public statements on the accident or Cox’s health. Cox did post a tweet on June 24th that could be construed as a cryptic announcement of sorts.

Cox spent his freshman year of 2018 at Georgia after being rated as a five-star recruit by all the major services. He played in all but one game for the Bulldogs before transferring to Florida before the 2019 season. Fall camp was already underway in Athens when his transfer was announced. Georgia and Cox called the move “a mutual parting of ways” at the time.

Cox sat out the 2019 season before splashing onto the scene in Gainesville last season. He started in all 12 games for the Gators, tallying 41 tackles (21 solo), 9.5 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. He also lead the Gators in quarterback pressures with 18.

The combination of Cox’s 2020 season and his athleticism has earned him many preseason accolades going into 2021. Considered Florida’s best pass rushing threat, many publications have predicted him to have an all-conference type of season before being a high-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. His absence in the lineup would be a huge blow for Florida’s defense in 2021.

Dawg Sports is continuing to work to confirm Cox’s status.