This is home. This is family. Once you come here you realize you don’t want to leave. It’s a close-knit team and you can tell by the way we play with each other. There is a high intensity and high care factor for one another. – Brandon Cox
SALT LAKE CITY — The growing trend among athletes who feel they aren’t getting enough playing time is to transfer to another school. Brandon Cox had a different idea.
“Playing with a team like Utah there isn’t a place I’d want to go and start over," Cox said. "This is home. This is family. Once you come here you realize you don’t want to leave. It’s a close-knit team and you can tell by the way we play with each other. There is a high intensity and high care factor for one another.”
Cox has been with the Utah program since 2013 and has trusted the process through it all. He chose to redshirt his freshman year. In 2014 he played in one game and in the spring of 2015 he broke his foot. Now Cox is once again competing for a starting spot at quarterback, but he’s enjoying the opportunity to learn and grow with each practice.
“I just want to keep improving day by day. There is always room for improvement. There is always something to look forward to and ways to develop more as a quarterback,” he said.
Cox came out of high school as a dual threat quarterback with a promising future. During his junior season, he led the league in passing and was ranked fourth in the league in rushing. His senior season he only played in two games due to injury. Despite this, Cox said he isn’t letting the injuries define him.
“Like coach 'Whitt' says all the time, 'next man up.' You can’t dwell on injuries you just have to keep working,” Cox said.
Working is what Cox has done. He has been continually working, whether it’s watching film, getting faster or doing whatever it takes for the team. Cox wants to be able to set the tone of the offense to compete at a high level this season. The group of quarterbacks this season are close knit and working together to help each other be better. Cox especially has taken notice of Tyler Huntley and the improvement that he’s made.
“I’ve been in that position as a freshman," Cox said. "I’ve tried to take him under my wing to show him the ropes a little and show him what he can do better. Tyler is a great quarterback, and he has a bright future ahead of him.”
Cox also had good things to say about the receiving game and complimented the growth that they’ve shown throughout spring camp. He gave high praise to Caleb Repp and Harrison Handley for the improvements they both have made.
“I feel like as an offense, we’re very explosive and it’s time to show the country that we can be the explosive offense that we are," he said.
The starting quarterback won’t be decided until fall camp, but those around Cox are noticing what he can do.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham liked the improvement and leadership that he's seen from Cox this spring.
“The offense has a whole didn’t really have an identity last year," Cox said. "We’ve made a big stride this year to show people that we are an offense to deal with this season.”
Cox finished the spring game with 17 completions and one interception.
Twitter: @CarraMcManamon. Snapchat and Instagram: curramac22