South Carolina Football: TE Connor Cox Helps Refill Empty TE Room

The South Carolina football program has put together one of their top recruiting classes in recent years for the 2023 recruiting cycle. While the recruiting rankings are ever-changing, according to industry leaders

on3

and

247Sports

, Shane Beamer and company have found themselves firmly inside the top-20 since the Early Signing Period ended.

One of the players in this class is TE Connor Cox, who signed with South Carolina during the Early Signing Period.

Position: TE
Recruiting Ranking: Consensus 3 Stars
Measurables: 6’5.5”; 225 pounds
Former Player Comp: Kyle Markway

Coming from the same high school program that produced Gamecock tight end legend Hayden Hurst, Connor Cox is a big-bodied tight end who has room on his frame to put on good weight. Tight ends play numerous roles in modern offenses, but Cox’s future is probably as an in-line tight end who is leaned on as a blocker. Blocking tight ends often remain relatively anonymous for parts of their career, but as seen in the careers of former Gamecocks Nate Adkins and Jacob August, fans eventually catch on to their value. If things go the way Tight Ends Coach Jody Wright expects for Connor, the tight end may become the type of fan favorite that inspires cheesy stadium signs that read “We Love the GameCox.”

With new Offensive Coordinator Dowell Loggains’ propensity for getting his playmakers the ball in space on the outside, edge blocking will be paramount to the Gamecocks’ ability to move the ball down the field, and Cox could play a large role in that future success. Cox is an energetic blocker who will see his strength continue to grow as he spends time in a college weight room.

In the passing game, Cox is not going to wow fans with fluid routes and impressive sprint speed like many modern receiving tight ends. However, he demonstrates impressive balance through contact and has high level hand-eye coordination, likely aided by his background playing lacrosse. Cox has impressive length which could aid him as a pass protector when he is not asked to be a receiver. In high school, he was utilized as an in-line tight end, a slot receiver, an h-back, and an x receiver, which could allow Cox to provide Loggains with some formational versatility, especially when he is looking to add some perimeter blocking in the quick passing game.

One of many South Carolina tight ends on an NFL roster in recent years, former Gamecock Kyle Markway played a similar style of football to Connor Cox. Markway eventually became a very good blocker and a reliable pass-catching option. With some development, Cox’s time in Columbia could mirror Markway’s. After considerable roster turnover at tight end this offseason, opportunities will be present for Cox and other newcomers to play sooner rather than later.

Perimeter blocking machines and reliable receiving tight ends are not easily found in one package, but Connor Cox has the ability to fill that important role for the Gamecocks.