Billy Napier addresses Brenton Cox's dismissal from Florida's program

Coming off his fourth defeat of the season, a 42-20 loss to No. 1 Georgia, Florida coach Billy Napier confirmed the team’s dismissal of Brenton Cox, the team’s most prominent pass-rusher.

Cox was dismissed from the team on Monday, as first reported by Zach Abolverdi of Gators Online on the On3 Network.

“I appreciate you asking that question,” Napier said, asked about the Gators Online report. “Brenton, we’ve kind of decided to move on here. I think — you know, I think that being a football player at the University of Florida is a privilege, right? There’s certain expectations and standards that come with that.

“Brenton’s been here in his third year. Obviously he’s done a lot of good things for the University of Florida, and we wish him nothing but the best.”

Napier was asked directly if Cox threw a punch at the end of the game against Georgia; Cox was involved in a physical brush with Bulldogs running back Kendall Milton on a 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

“Not that I’m aware of,” Napier said.

Billy Napier explains Brenton Cox dismissal

Napier, in his first year with the Florida program after a four-year stint leading Louisiana, discussed his decision leading to Brenton Cox’s dismissal further.

“Sometimes you have to make decisions in the best interests of the team,” Napier said. “Certainly Brenton, we’re going to do everything we can do to help him with his transition, but as simple as that. I think we’ve decided to move on.”

Cox initially transferred to Florida after spending one year at Georgia.

He had recorded 35 tackles, 8.0 tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks, nine quarterback hurries and a pass breakup for the Gators so far this season.

Cox also led the team in both tackles for a loss and sacks in 2021, tallying 14.5 and 8.5, respectively.