STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University junior defensive tackle Fletcher Cox announced Tuesday he will forego his final year of eligibility and enter the NFL draft.
The 295-pound defensive lineman from Yazoo City had 56 tackles this season, including 14 1/2 tackles for a loss and five sacks. He said immediately after MSU’s 23-17 victory against Wake Forest in the Music City Bowl that he had made his decision about turning professional, but that he was waiting to announce it properly.
“This is a chance for me to do what I’ve always dreamed of, play in the NFL,” Cox said in a university statement. “I appreciate everything Mississippi State has done for me to help me get to this point. The coaches, fans, staff, and everyone there have been amazing during my three years in Starkville.”
Cox, a junior, was MSU’s only first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection this season. ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay rates Cox as the 20th best overall prospect, and the second-best defensive tackle available behind Penn State’s Devon Still.
“Our goal is to develop young men to put them in a position to achieve their goals,” MSU football coach Dan Mullen said. “I’ve always said we’ll support our players in their efforts to reach their dreams, and Fletcher has a chance to reach his. We wish him nothing but the best, and look forward to him representing Mississippi State on Sundays.”
Cox was adamant at the SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala., that he would return for his senior season at MSU to secure his degree. He stuck to that claim as late as early October.
“Nobody saw this coming, and I don’t think Fletcher was able to see into the future and realize he would be an All-SEC type talent, but the one thing I can say about Fletcher Cox is everything we asked him to do, he did to the highest level,” MSU defensive coordinator Chris Wilson told The Dispatch.
Messages left with Cox weren’t returned in time for this edition.
Cox was named the SEC’s Defensive Lineman of the Week four times this season. He dominated against Wake Forest last week, making seven tackles, including two for loss, and recording a sack.
“I’m excited for Fletcher and to watch another Bulldogs player compete at the highest level on Sundays,” Wilson said. “I know the jury is still out on what he can do in a combine and from a pro day workout standpoint, but he’s put himself in a position to be a high pick.”
According to a New York Times report, Cox received a second-round grade by the NFL draft advisory committee after filing the paperwork last month. In previous media sessions, Mullen and other MSU coaches had said a player should only declare for the professional draft if they’re a considered a first-round selection.
“If you’re a first-round pick that’s life-changing money, and I tell every one of them to go. If you’re not then we encourage them all to come back,” Mullen said after the Music City Bowl win.
Cox has said he will finish his spring semester at MSU and work out with MSU strength coach Matt Balis to prepare for the draft in April.
Without Cox, MSU will have junior Josh Boyd and redshirt freshman Curtis Virges and freshman P.J. Jones at defensive tackle for 2012. The Bulldogs also have verbal commitments from defensive tackle prospects Quay Evans, of Morton High, and Nick James, of Long Beach, for next season.
“I’m excited about the guys finishing the year on a great note and the experience the (returning defensive tackles) got over 13 games and a Music City Bowl win,” Wilson said. “You can’t replace that, and this offseason will determine our success next season. We have a lot of experience coming back, and guys like Fletcher leaving early is a great problem for us to have.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.