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BREAKING: Brenton Cox Jr. dismissed from Florida Gators

On3 imageby: Zach Abolverdi10/31/22ZachAbolverdi
On3 image
Florida outside linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida outside linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. has been dismissed from the football team, Gators Online has learned.

UF coach Billy Napier confirmed our report Monday afternoon.

“Brenton, we kind of decided to move on here,” Napier said. “I think that being a football player at the University of Florida is a privilege, right? There are certainly expectations and standards that come with that. Obviously, he has done a lot of good things for the University of Florida, and we wish him nothing but the best. But sometimes, you have to make decisions in the best interest of the team. Certainly with Brenton, we’re certainly going to do everything in our power to help him with his transition.”

Cox is currently leading the Gators with 8.0 tackles for a loss and is third on the team with 2.0 sacks. In the season opener, he recorded 10 tackles (3 solo), including 0.5 TFL and a quarterback hurry. Cox was named SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week for that performance.

Cox transferred to Florida from Georgia following his freshman season in 2018. He spoke about that decision last week before playing his old school.

“It just didn’t work out,” Cox said. “Me and coach Smart, we agreed [on the] mutual decision for me to leave and I came here. That’s been the best decision I made so far.”

The former five-star recruit had to sit out in 2019 but quickly found a starting role. Cox started all 12 games for Florida in 2020. He tallied 41 tackles (21 solo), 9.5 tackles-for-loss and four sacks, in addition to leading the team in QB hurries with 18. In 2021 he led the team in both sacks (8.5) and tackles for a loss (14.5).

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