World News – US – LSU star linebacker Jabril Cox explains for the NFL draft

LSU linebacker Jabril Cox returns an interception against Arkansas in the first half of Saturday, November. 21, 2020, in Fayetteville, Ark.

LSU linebacker Jabril Cox returns against Arkansas in the first half of Saturday, November. 21, 2020, in Fayetteville, Ark.

The 6-foot-4,231-pound senior was able to return for another season due to an NCAA waiver amid the coronavirus pandemic, but Cox will instead step into the draft, which is expected to be drafted in early rounds.

« First and foremost, I’d like to thank LSU for giving me the opportunity to play for one of the best programs in the nation, » said Cox in a written statement posted on Twitter on Sunday. « My time in Baton Rouge has been a blessing. « 

Less than a year ago, Cox came to Baton Rouge as a graduate from North Dakota. He was looking for a new challenge after winning three straight FCS national championships, a chance to add to his design inventory by showing that he could compete at the highest level of the NCAA.

Cox was a top playmaker for the LSU defense in his first season with the Tigers. He was the team’s third leading tackler with 58 tackles and 6½ tackles for the loss and one sack. Cox also had three interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown on his season opener debut against Mississippi State.

While the LSU defense struggled, Cox’s disruptive games were among the few bright spots, and he was consistently chosen to speak to the media throughout the season.

He told reporters he would make his decision after the season was over, and after LSU’s 53:48 win over Ole Miss in the season finale, he stopped saying it was his last game as he said that the game is « one that I will remember for the rest of my life. « 

The exit was expected and the LSU must replace one of their most consistent defenders.

Juniors Damone Clark and Micah Baskerville will both return, but Baskerville replaced Clark as the LSU starter in seven games while Clark struggled.

Josh White and Antoine Sampah saw minimal time on campus in their first season, while real freshman Phillip Webb didn’t appear in any game in 2020.

But it is also likely that Navonteque Strong, who signed with LSU in December, will fight for game time early next season. The LSU also signed Greg Penn III, the nation’s number 1. According to 247Sports, 11 inside linebackers of the 2021 class have been recruited.

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