Cox Shines Bright: Honored in D2Football.com’s Elite 100 Lineup!

Football
1/3/2025 9:59:00 AM

Samantha Traini, Interim Director of Strategic Communications and Ideation

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — IUP’s senior linebacker Garrett Cox was recognized as a member of the D2Football.com Elite 100 Second Team Defense, as announced by the organization on Thursday evening. 

The D2Football.com Elite 100 Team was curated by the staff of D2Football.com with contributions from several current head coaches as well as football scouting expert Josh Buchanan. The team comprises first and second team selections for offense, defense, and special teams, together with 25 “Squad” players for offense and defense. Squad players are akin to “honorable mention” selections in other similar nationally recognized lists. 

The PSAC showcased nine athletes on the Elite 100 Squad. Cox is accompanied by other PSAC athletes on the Second Team Defense, such as Todd Hill (Slippery Rock) and Freddie Retter (Kutztown). 

Cox becomes the ninth player in IUP program history to receive this distinction and the first since Duane Brown was honored in 2022, and he is the third defensive player to obtain this acknowledgment.

Cox significantly influenced the defense for the Hawks as he adds to his collection of accolades this season. He was honored as a PSAC First Team, D2CCA All-Super Region One Second Team, AFCA All-America Second Team, and most recently was included in the Don Hansen All-America Honorable Mention.

Cox placed fourth in the PSAC with 100 total tackles, attaining that single-season benchmark during the season-ending game against Shippensburg. He was third in the conference, averaging 10.0 tackles per game. In the first five games of the season, he amassed 41 tackles and concluded the season strongly with 59 tackles. He achieved a peak of 16 total tackles against Seton Hill and accumulated eight solo tackles against Shippensburg. 

 

He finished fourth in the conference with an average of 1.35 tackles for loss per game, concluding with 13.5 tackles resulting in a combined 50-yard loss. Cox also recorded four quarterback hurries along with three pass breakups. 

 

IUP wrapped up the 2024 season with a 38-7 loss to Shippensburg at Miller Stadium, marking its 14th consecutive winning season.

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