Florida got some good news ahead of its season-opening contest against the Florida Atlantic Owls on Saturday. The Gators announced their starting lineups for the game, and featured in that group is edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr. The redshirt junior spent much of the offseason dealing with a foot injury, but he practiced during fall camp and was expected to suit up for the season opener.
Now that’s official, according to AllGators’ Zach Goodall.
#Gators announce Brenton Cox Jr. as the team’s starting BUCK rush end.
He’s playing. Trust your local media.
— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) September 4, 2021
Cox is a transfer from Georgia who led the team in quarterback hurries during his first season in Gainesville in 2020. He’s expected to be the team’s leading edge rusher this season.
In other news, UF also announced that cornerback Avery Helm will start opposite Kaiir Elam on the outside. Helm is a redshirt freshman who only appeared in the Cotton Bowl last year, but he won the job over transfer Elijah Blades and five-star true freshman Jason Marshall Jr.
Avery Helm officially gets the start opposite Kaiir Elam at corner.@alligatorSports
— Michael Hull (@Michael_Hull33) September 4, 2021
Offensively, Malik Davis and Dameon Pierce get the start at running back, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise. However, some fans likely wanted to see Demarkcus Bowman get the nod. It’s unclear how much of a role the five-star Clemson transfer will play in the offense.
On offense, no real surprises other than Malik Davis and Dameon Pierce listed as the two starters in the backfield. Quarterback Emory Jones gets the loudest ovation out of everyone.
— Zachary Alan Huber (@zacharyahuber) September 4, 2021
The kicking battle was resolved with Jace Christmann being listed as the probable starter over Chris Howard. Christmann is a transfer from Mississippi State, while Howard is a fifth-year former walk-on who served as Evan McPherson‘s backup the last few years.
Jace Christmann is listed as the probable starting kicker.
— Ethan Hughes (@ehughes97) September 4, 2021
The Gators begin their 2021 season against the Owls at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
Florida Football 2021 Opponent History: Florida Atlantic Owls
Florida football releases Week 1 depth chart vs. Florida Atlantic
The Gators’ last meeting with Florida Atlantic was a wild one
10 interesting tidbits ahead of Florida football’s game against FAU
A look at 10 Florida football players to keep an eye on against FAU
Florida Football Opponent Report: Scouting the Florida Atlantic Owls
Gators Wire’s staff predictions for Florida football vs. FAU
Check out the pregame hype for the Florida vs FAU game
Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.