Personal information | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Born: | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. | April 16, 1998||||
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||
Weight: | 235 lb (107 kg) | ||||
Career information | |||||
High school: | Raytown South (Raytown, Missouri) | ||||
College: |
| ||||
Position: | Linebacker | ||||
NFL draft: | 2021 / round: 4 / pick: 115 | ||||
Career history | |||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||
| |||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||
|
Jabril Cox (born April 16, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft. He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison, where he won three FCS championships and was named the MVFC defensive player of the year before playing the 2020 season with LSU. Cox has also been a member of the Washington Commanders.
Cox grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and attended Raytown South High School. As a sophomore, he was a two-way starter at linebacker and wide receiver, tallying 101 tackles (13 tackles for loss), 509 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, while receiving All-conference honors on defense. [1]
As a junior, he was named the starter as a dual-threat quarterback, posting 1,300 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns and 830 rushing yards, while earning All-district and All-conference honors. He suffered a torn ACL injury during the season.
As a senior, he posted 2,103 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, 1,004 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. During his career he also played as a safety and cornerback. [2] [3] He was a four-year starter for the basketball and baseball teams.
Cox accepted a football scholarship from North Dakota State University. As a redshirt freshman, he was converted into a linebacker. [4] He appeared in all 15 games with 8 starts, registering 75 tackles (led the team), 13 tackles for loss (led the team), 4.5 sacks, 6 quarterback hurries, 3 pass breakups and 3 fumble recoveries. In the sixth game against Youngstown State University, he replaced an injured Chris Board and had 3 sacks. He made 13 tackles (7 solo) in the semifinal 55–13 win over Sam Houston State University. He was named second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) and the conference Newcomer of the Year. [5]
As a sophomore, he was named the conference Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-MVFC, after recording 15 starts, 91 total tackles (led the team), 9.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 7 quarterback hurries and 4 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. [6] He had 10 tackles in the FCS second round playoff 52–10 win over Montana State University.
As a junior, he started 15 games, making 92 tackles (led the team), 57 solo tackles (second in school history), 9.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 5 quarterback hurries, one interception and 6 pass breakups. He missed the eleventh game against the University of South Dakota with an injury. He had 8 tackles in the quarterfinal 9–3 win over Illinois State University and in the championship 28–20 win over James Madison University. He was named first-team All-MVFC for a second straight season, as well as a third-team All-American by the Associated Press. [7] He finished the season fourth in school history with 158 career solo tackles and fifth with 190 career interception return yards. He contributed to his team winning three straight FCS Championships and having a 45-1 overall record. He finished his career with the Bisons with 38 starts in 45 games, 258 tackles (32 tackles for loss), 14 sacks, 6 interceptions and scored two defensive touchdowns. It was reported in the media, that he played the last part of the season with a torn labrum that required surgery in the offseason.
In 2020, he moved on to Louisiana State University as a graduate transfer, looking to improve as a player. [8] He was one of the few bright spots on a team that struggled to a 5-5 overall record, after winning the CFP Championship the previous season. He collected 58 tackles (third on the team), 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one fumble recovery, 8 pass breakups and 3 interceptions (one returned for a 14-yard touchdown). He had a sack and returned an interception 14 yards for a touchdown in the season opening 34–44 loss against Mississippi State University. [9] He had 9 tackles against the University of Alabama. Following the season, Cox announced he would enter the 2021 NFL draft. [10]
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 3+1⁄4 in (1.91 m) | 232 lb (105 kg) | 32+3⁄8 in (0.82 m) | 9 in (0.23 m) | |||||||||
All values from Pro Day [11] [12] [13] [14] |
Cox was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (115th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. [15] He signed his rookie contract on May 20, 2021. [16] During a Week 8 game against the Minnesota Vikings, Cox suffered a right knee injury in the third quarter while covering a punt. On November 1, 2021, the MRI revealed Cox suffered a torn ACL. Cox was subsequently placed on the season-ending injured reserve. He appeared in 7 games, making one defensive tackle and one special teams tackle.
In 2022, he returned to action in Week 3 against the New York Giants. He was passed on the depth chart by rookie and former LSU teammate Damone Clark and played mostly on special teams, making 4 tackles in 9 games. He played his most defensive snaps in the season finale against the Tennessee Titans. He was declared inactive in 8 regular season games and in the 2 playoff contests. It has been speculated in the media, that he never fully recovered from his ACL injury. [17]
In the 2023, preseason, he was part of a deep defensive unit and wasn't able to earn a roster spot. He was waived on August 29, 2023. [18]
Cox signed with the practice squad of the Washington Commanders on August 31, 2023. [19] He was signed to the active roster on November 3, 2023. [20] He appeared in 10 games and tallied two special teams tackles. He was not re-signed after the season.
On July 25, 2024, Cox signed with the Minnesota Vikings. [21] He suffered a groin injury in the first preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He was waived with an injury designation on August 13. [22]
Marcus Rayshon Spears, nicknamed "Swagu", is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the LSU Tigers, earning consensus All-American honors. Spears was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft. He also played in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens.
Eric Ulyssee Frampton is an American former professional football safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, and New Orleans Saints. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played college football at Washington State.
Sean Patrick Lee is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft. He made two Pro Bowls and the 2016 All-Pro Team.
Everson Griffen is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). A graduate of Agua Fria High School, Griffen played college football for the USC Trojans. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft and played for them for 10 seasons before signing with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. He was traded to the Detroit Lions later that year, then re-signed with the Vikings in August 2021.
Jordan Hicks is an American professional football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he won a Super Bowl ring in 2018, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns.
Jaylon Smith is an American professional football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected 34th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.
DeMarcus Lawrence is an American professional football defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football for the Butler Community College Grizzlies and Boise State Broncos.
Eric-Nathan Marvin Kendricks is an American professional football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins. As a senior in 2014, he won the Butkus Award as the nation's top collegiate linebacker. Kendricks was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft and later played for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Xavier Woods is an American professional football safety for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He played college football at Louisiana Tech.
Leighton Vander Esch is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boise State Broncos, and was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. He spent six seasons with the team, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his rookie season before neck injuries prematurely ended his playing career.
Federico Anthony Warner is an American professional football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the BYU Cougars and was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft.
Donovan Junior Wilson is an American professional football safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas A&M.
Trevon De'Sean Diggs is an American professional football cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.
Patrick Queen is an American professional football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected 28th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2020 NFL draft.
Francis Bernard is an American football linebacker for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Brigham Young University and the University of Utah.
Nahshon Wright is an American professional football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon State.
Andrew Booth Jr. is an American professional football cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the Vikings in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.
Luther Kirk is an American football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Illinois State and was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
Matt Waletzko is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Dakota.
Hunter Jon Luepke is an American professional football fullback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cowboys after the 2023 NFL draft.