Florida dismisses LB Brenton Cox Jr. from program

Florida’s veteran linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. has been fired from the team, coach Billy Napier announced Monday.

Napier said it was time to “move on” from Cox, saying it was a “cumulative effect” that led to Cox’s firing, not an incident.

Cox appeared to beat Georgia by running back Kenny McIntosh after McIntosh scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s loss to the Bulldogs.

Cox, a redshirt junior, leads the team with eight tackles for the loss. In eight games, he has 35 tackles, 2 sacks and 9 quarterback rushes.

Cox began his career at Georgia before moving to Florida for the 2019 season under former coach Dan Mullen.

Mullen was fired last November and replaced by Billy Napier, who has started 4-4 this season.

Florida lost to No. 1 Georgia, 42-20, in Jacksonville last Saturday. Cox had two tackles in the game.

The Gators play Texas A&M on Saturday.