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Derek Cox

  • Class
    2008
  • Induction
    2020
  • Sport(s)
    Football
Cox was a great athlete and leader for the Tribe football team, one of just 12 players in program history be elected as a team captain twice in his four years.  He earned third-team All-CAA honors as a cornerback in 2007, improving to second-team honors as a senior in 2008, and was also an outstanding punt returner.  His two punt returns for touchdowns in 2008 tied the Tribe's single-season record, as did his two interception return touchdowns that season.  Overall in his four seasons, Cox appeared in 43 of the team's 44 games, totaling 173 tackles, 29 passes defended, nine interceptions, and 33 punt returns for 332 yards.  He still ranks third in school history with 212 career interception return yards, and fifth with 16.42 yards per punt return in 2008.



After completing his eligibility, Cox turned his attention to professional football.  Despite not being invited to the NFL Combine, Cox turned heads at his individual workouts, and became a national name when Jacksonville selected him in the third round with the 73rd overall pick.  Cox is the second-highest drafted player in W&M history.  In his very first game, he intercepted NFL legend Peyton Manning, and eventually played for five different teams over a seven-year career.  Cox totaled 241 tackles in the NFL, 39 pass deflections, and 13 interceptions, and was named an alternate for the 2010 Pro Bowl.
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