Cox earned a starting job at cornerback early in his freshman year for the Tribe and continued to improve to a second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association pick as a senior.

Cox really jumped up boards, however, with a great pro day, where he was clocked as fast as 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash and posted a 36.5-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot, 8-inch broad jump. He intercepted seven passes and broke up 10 others over the past two seasons, so his athleticism and ball skills give him exactly the type of upside teams look for in a draftable small-school prospect.

Cox's physical play may project him to safety at the next level and his experience as a punt returner (two scores and a 16.4-yard average in 2008) is another bonus.

Attended J.H. Rose High School, which also produced N.C. State RB Andre Brown.

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Positives: Size/speed prospect with long arms and a fair build throughout his body for a cornerback. Good closing speed, and covers a lot of ground once the ball is in the air. Can be physical, attacking receivers and ballcarriers with reckless abandon when he can line them up. A move to free safety is possible because he is willing to play in the box to support the run. Has experience returning punts.

Negatives: Inconsistent hands for the interception; will drop easy picks but make great plays on others. Gets opportunities for interceptions from poor throws by lower-level quarterbacks, at times catching up after being beat in the second level. Not a smooth gait when running with receivers, returning a punt or after making an interception. Tall and stiff in his backpedal, best in a zone system where he can react to plays in front of him. Needs to work on using his hands in press coverage, although he has the size to handle that type of coverage. Does not change directions as quickly as his shuttle tests predict. Tackling skills are marginal; puts his head down and dives for ankles too often. Gets off blocks from smaller receivers outside but lacks the strength to do so against NFL-caliber players. Has more straight-line speed than elusiveness on returns, so he may be better at bringing back kickoffs than punts.

No significant injuries reported.

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