Transfer Spotlight – LSU LB Jabril Cox
At CFB Saturdays we recognize that the landscape is always changing in College Football and the undeniable impact transfers have had on our beloved sport in recent history. Transfers have gone on to make College Football Playoff runs, win the Heisman, the National Championship, and become top NFL Draft Picks (Joe Burrow recently accomplished all of the above). Over the next few days, we will take a look at the potential impact of top Transfers in 2020 in our Transfer Spotlight Series. Today we take a look at LSU LB Jabril Cox.
FCS Superstar
Jabril Cox came to North Dakota State’s elite FCS program in 2016 as a high school quarterback. After taking a redshirt season he had an instant impact totaling 75 tackles, 13.0 TFLs, and 4.5 sacks and was named a FCS Freshmen All-American. He followed that performance with an excellent sophomore season in which he totaled 91 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 4 sacks, 4 interceptions, 3 PBU, and 7 QBH. The disruptive playmaker was in contention for several postseason accolades and was named a FCS 1st Team All American.
In 2019 he played his final season for the Bison and had another ultra-productive showing. Cox recorded 92 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 1 interception, 6 PBU, and 5 QBH. For the second season in a row he was named a FCS 1st Team All American.
The production Cox maintained at the FCS level is very impressive. Not only did he display high end playmaking ability (he had two pick-6’s in back to back games) but he was a very durable player. He only missed one game in his career and started a total of 38 games including a stretch of 31 consecutive starts. The leap from FCS to FBS returning champs is a tremendous one but a player with Cox’s resume has the tools to make the adjustment.
A Perfect Time to be an LSU LB
Jabril Cox announced in April that he would be transferring to the defending National Champion LSU Tigers. Ed Orgeron’s team took a significant leap forward in 2019 and surpassed all preseason expectations. The team has elevated it’s already strong recruiting efforts in the 2020 class (#4 overall) and has plenty of talent on the roster despite losing 14 players to the NFL Draft.
With three of four linebackers from the 2019 team gone, there was a void to fill at the position and playing time available. The fit made a ton of sense for both Cox and LSU as he will be a frontrunner for a starting spot in 2020.
A New Age LB Talent
Jabril Cox brings high end athleticism and fluidity to the position to go along with prototypical size (6’3” 233). Cox primarily played outside linebacker and was excellent in space. His ability to disrupt plays on the edges is essential in stopping modern spread offenses. His ability to wrap up as a tackler in the open field helps maximize his true sideline to sideline range. Cox also displays a knack for blitzing as he times the snap well and finds the open lane to the QB.
The new LSU LB is an elite player in coverage demonstrating the change of direction skills and fluid hips of a defensive back. His ability to anticipate passes in zone coverage led to his high interception and PBU totals. Cox also displayed the rare ability to run with skill position players in man coverage. He truly can do it all defending the pass from the linebacker position.
Cox brings a tremendous amount of skills and instincts to the table but he can certainly improve at the line of scrimmage. For Cox to become a complete player he will need to avoid getting locked up with blockers in traditional running situations. In addition, he has missed tackles at the point of attack that you would like to see him make. Let’s be clear, however, that Cox is not a liability in this regard either. If he improves his play in this regard he will be one of the most complete linebackers in College Football.
The Missing Piece on the LSU Defense
The Tigers return plenty of talent to the defense in 2020, a unit that has seemingly been strong for over two decades. The defensive line returns three players who started games last season in Glen Logan, Neil Farrell, and Tyler Shelvin (a disruptive force). There are plenty of highly regarded players behind those three who will play significant roles up front.
The secondary returns the nation’s best cornerback in Derek Stingley and an elite backend defender in JaCoby Stevens. Young players like Maurice Hampton and Cordale Flott flashed their ability as reserves and are primed to take over as starters. There always seems to be a true freshmen making an impact at the position and don’t be surprised if five star Elias Ricks makes a name for himself immediately.
Linebacker was probably the biggest question mark on the team going into the season. Marcel Brooks is a big time talent that looks like he will be the pass rushing linebacker this season. Outside of him there are good options but not great options. There are veterans who have played key reserve roles like Ray Thornton and Damone Clark but neither appears to be a game changing talent. The higher upside players on the roster don’t have the experience and may need more development in the program before making an impact.
Adding a player with high end ability and experience in Jabril Cox improves the outlook at the position instantly. We expect Cox to play on the outside but he has the raw talent to handle the inside position as well. Either way the defensive roster now looks complete with Cox in the fold. Making this a defense that will be in position to carry the Tigers in defense of their championship crown in 2020.
For more LSU Tigers content visit our team page here.
For more content like this don’t forget to subscribe to our website.
For the latest content follow us on twitter @saturdayscfb & @cfbsaturdaysC or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CFBSaturdays.
