Kentucky Football Countdown: No. 75 Eli Cox

“Recruit and Develop” has been a long-standing mantra implemented by Mark Stoops at the University of Kentucky. Few embody it as well as Eli Cox, the Kentucky native rocking No. 75 on the Big Blue Wall this fall.

About Cox

Eli Cox has an unheralded recruit in Kentucky’s 2019 class, but he’s turned into one of the more productive players of the group. A low three-star recruit from West Jessamine High School, earning a scholarship from the University of Kentucky was a dream come true for the lifelong UK football fan who was no stranger to KSR remotes. Recruited by John Schlarman, he enrolled early, took his medicine and steadily improved. As a redshirt freshman in 2020, he saw action in eight of the Cats’ 11 games, teeing up a breakout 2021 season.

Cox Career Highlight

Luke Fortner moved from right guard to center, opening the door for Cox to become a starter. He immediately shined, earning Midseason All-American honors from multiple publications. Cox did something few offensive linemen can say: he scored a touchdown. Chris Rodriguez caught a case of the red zone fumbles and the Kentucky kid was ready to clean it up.

Eli Cox Fun Fact

Eli Cox might one day be on the call for Kentucky football games. An ISC major at the University of Kentucky, he wants to get into sports broadcasting. He already has a nice line on his resume after assisting with the UK Pro Day broadcast. A well-spoken young man with a deep knowledge and love for the game, he checks all of the right boxes. Don’t be surprised if Jeff Piecoro eventually turns the keys over to Eli.

2022 Forecast

The center position has not-so-quietly become the most reliable position on the Kentucky football team. Drake Jackson was one of the best to ever play it. He handed the keys to Fortner, who transformed into a third round pick. Cox has the luxury of learning from both. Attempting to repeat Fortner’s move by going from right guard to center, he’ll have Jackson in his ear all year to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible.

A hand injury sidelined Cox for the final four games of the 2021 season. Back for spring practice, there were a few early snapping hiccups he had to overcome. All of that should be in the rearview mirror once the season begins. Fortner believes Cox is built to continue Kentucky’s success at center.

“I feel like he’s gong to do really well (at center), just because — he’s not going to like me saying this — of his natural leverage,” Fortner told KSR this spring. “He’s as tall as I am, but it feels like he’s 6-foot. The way he plays, he’s so stocky, so strong and so explosive off the ball that being in that interior position, he’s going to be able to move guys and climb to the second level. For me, watching Eli play it’s a matter of the leverage he plays with and the intelligence he has are combined to make him a really good center.”