By LARRY VAUGHT
Long before Eli Cox verbally committed to play football at the University of Kentucky, his parents — Katherine and John — were UK football season ticket holders.
Now they are not in any rush for his collegiate career to end as he prepares to start his sixth season at UK.
“We have enjoyed him being the hometown boy playing on Kroger field. We are not in any rush for this to end. We want to enjoy this and experience it for one more year,” Katherine Cox said.
John Cox admitted they were a “little surprised” when Eli opted to stay at UK for a sixth year. He has started 35 straight games at guard and/or center.
“We had a conversation and he was struggling about coming back or going pro. He was struggling with the unknowns if things did not go the way he thought and he did not get drafted. He has been playing football since middle school and the thought of maybe not playing again was a little unnerving to him,” John Cox said.
“Other factors like NIL made a difference and (Mark) Stoops and the other coaches wanted him to come back for another year and not have somebody new at center. Obviously, we are excited. We enjoy home games and tailgating with family and friends like we have for 20 years. Then two years ago the UK football family (players’ parents) started tailgating together and that is fun to be part of.”
Eli Cox was lightly recruited out of West Jessamine High School when then offensive line coach John Schlarman liked his potential.
“John Schlarman saw his greatest strength was his willingness to study and the incredible self motivation to work hard that he had,” Katherine Cox said. “Schlarman saw more than just talent. He saw his leadership and how coachable he would be.”
He was a team captain last year and an all-SEC second team pick by the league coaches.
“I think he definitely has exceeded what almost everyone expected,” the lineman’s father said. “As parents, we obviously were a little more biased. In the business world you have to get your foot in the door and then it is on you. He knew he was not a five-star (recruit). He was barely a three-star player. But he was given a chance and took full advantage of it.
“I knew his work ethic would let him be a success. We knew it would be a long shot to get a full scholarship offer from UK. He worked with (former UK linemen) Drake (Jackson) a lot in high school and Drake was taking videos and showing Schlarman. That helped Eli get his opportunity.”
Eli Cox has had four offensive line coaches. Eric Wolford arrived after Schlarman’s passing but then left for Alabama. Zach Yenser took over in 2022 for two years before Stoops opted to bring Wolford back this season.
“There’s nothing you can do about that,” Katherine Cox said. “It made it more difficult to build continuity with different coaches but Eli was up to the challenge. He has enjoyed new coaches and the plans they have instituted.”
Eli Cox’s parents have been to every road game for five years and plan to continue the streak this year. They are looking forward to UK’s game at SEC newcomer Texas and are optimistic about the upcoming season.
“Talking with Eli and reading what other people are saying they have a lot of pieces now and it is just a matter of putting it together,” John Cox said. “I think the offense is going to be completely different and a lot faster than last year (under new offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan). They want to get 70 to 80 snaps a game this year and are going to go no-huddle some.”
Georgia transfer quarterback Brock Vandagriff will be taking snaps from Cox and the senior lineman’s father said his son likes what Vandagriff brings to the team.
“Just the skills he has … his size, arm strength, football intelligence. They have spent a lot of time together on the field and watching film,” John Cox said. “He feels like Brock is a good down to earth person and great athlete and someone who has fit in very well. They match up very well outside of football with their personalities and the way they carry themselves is very similar.”
Cox’s mother, a former public school teacher, is proud of what he’s done on the field but was even more proud when he was inducted into the Frank Ham Society of Character that honors UK athletes who have shown an extraordinary commitment to academic excellence, athletic participation, personal development, career preparation and serving as a role model.
“Grades and character mean so much to me. For that to be something Eli was recognized for, that’s big. I care about what happens on the field but this is much, much more important.”
Cox hopes to eventually get into broadcasting. Currently he’s concentrating more on the production side of media work to diversify his resume.
“Being a player and athlete will open some doors for him but just like on the offensive line, you have to be ready for the opportunity,” John Cox said.
How has life on the Kentucky basketball team been for Fairleigh Dickinson transfer Ansley Almonor?
“It has been great so far. Different but I can’t complain at all,” Almonor said. “I have been able to compete with the best guys in the country. Coach (Mark) Pope is so hands on and such a great teacher. I have so much respect for him. He cares about what you are doing. It has been a very different experience but a great experience.
“It has been great being surrounded by so much talent and that makes practice so great. I feel practices are so competitive and you are trying to win every day.
Almonor said at times it has been a “little shocking” at the mall or restaurant when so many fans recognize him.
“It has not been too bad yet. I have heard it gets worse during the season, but I actually like meeting the fans,” he said.
He said no one teammate has really surprised him because everybody is a “great player” much like he expected.
“We are going to shock the world when we compete at the highest level,” the Fairleigh Dickinson transfer said. “A lot of people are not expecting us to go out and do what we plan and that is to win a national championship. We are going to shock the world when we win the national championship.”
His parents already appreciate what he’s done by just being at Kentucky.
“My parents are immigrants from Haiti,” he said. “Me playing at the highest level, they are really proud of me. They are anxious to come watch games in Kentucky and it already means a lot to them.”
He’s been an all-American both years at Kentucky and has 90 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 8.5 quarterback sacks going into the 2024 season. So how did Big Ten schools let Walker leave Detroit to play for Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference?
“Michigan was a close second option for me. They’re a great program, don’t get me wrong, but I just feel like it wasn’t the right fit for me,” the UK junior defensive lineman said.
Walker said at SEC Media Days he “trusted” UK coach Mark Stoops more than anyone else.
“He is big on loyalty. That’s how I am. That’s one thing that I was looking for because out of anywhere in my top five, top 10 schools, you could go and get developed,” Walker said. “You can get bigger, faster, stronger.
“Everybody is going to get your technique right. Everyone is going to get you enough reps so you can be ready in the game. I didn’t just want to be a number. I wanted to be somebody who I know the head coach cares for, you know?
“He cares for everyone no matter if you are a walk-on, a scholarship guy. If you need something, his door is always open. That’s one thing that I was looking for in a school.”
Freshman guard Travis Perry has found a “fun environment” on coach Mark Pope’s first Kentucky team and noted it is easy to see “how much it really means to have the word Kentucky” on the chest not only for his new teammates but for returning players who played in The Basketball Tournament.
Perry and his current teammates were on the front row in Rupp Arena for three TBT games interacting with the former players and fans.
“It was just awesome to get to be in there, feel the atmosphere, feel the environment and get a little bit of a taste of what it’s gonna be like when we’re playing out there,” Perry said.
The former Lyon County star said the team has been working out four days a week in the weight room and he says the technology at UK helps identify any weaknesses a player might have.
“We have so much great technology,” Perry said.
He thinks he has added both weight and strength not only from the workouts but from “so much good food” he eats regularly.
“If you’re in Lyon County, you get a good workout and get a good lift in. Go get some McDonald’s. It’s about your only option,” he said. “Here you go get some nice lean pieces of chicken. Great protein, great rice. It’s just such a difference from being high school athletes and college athletes.”
Coach Mark Pope also emphasizes often what playing at Kentucky means.
“Coach Pope does a great job of instilling that in us,” Perry said. “He’s in here at 6 a.m. every day. He’s here late at night. He’s always there to help (you know what) being a guy that represents what Kentucky basketball is really about.”
It was an easy decision for Otega Oweh to transfer from Oklahoma to Kentucky. He considered it a “no-brainer” because of the rich history/tradition at UK.
“I was really intrigued with Kentucky. I want to be a pro. I mean, this is one of the best places in the country to do that,” Oweh said.
He played two years for the Sooners but has had one major adjustment at Kentucky.
“The only adjustment was just the fan base and probably how serious it is with basketball and just Kentucky as a whole. In terms of basketball, I’ve been through it a little bit. I kind of know what to expect. I have my routine that I’m used to,” he said.
He has enjoyed the way coach Mark Pope puts “confidence” into players to do the things he expects them to be able to do this season.
“He just allows the guys to play,” Oweh said. “He gives you confidence and it’s been great being able to practice. You see the whole system that he was bringing to Kentucky.”
Oweh said he did a lot of “research” on his future UK teammates before he arrived on campus but there has been one surprise.
“Just being able to see all the guys be together and just be focused on trying to get better and build that chemistry — that’s something I’ve been surprised with,” Oweh said. “We’re all new. No one on the team was here last year.
“So just being able to see how everyone’s so unselfish — they’re open to building that relationship and that bond on the court and off the court, that’s been the biggest thing, really.
Quote of the Week: “The BBN, the atmosphere is crazy. One of the best stadiums that I’ve played in. I’m so excited to call it my home stadium,” UK defensive lineman Deone Walker on playing at Kroger Field.
Quote of the Week 2: “I was still being respectful about the process, so I waited until I got home. I knew where my gut was,” Oklahoma State transfer Brandon Garrison on committing to UK as soon as he finished a visit to Arkansas.
Quote of the Week 3: “We had a fun time together for a year at Kentucky, battling on the court, being teammates and roommates so it was really fun seeing him at the NBA level and playing against him,” Reed Sheppard after playing against former UK teammate Rob Dillingham in the NBA Summer League.