Sports

Tech's Demarco Cox signed by Colts

Boston College's Olivier Hanlan (21) drives past Georgia Tech's Demarco Cox (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Tuesday, March 10, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone) Former Georgia Tech center Demarco Cox shows the reach that makes him an intriguing NFL prospect. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Boston College's Olivier Hanlan (21) drives past Georgia Tech's Demarco Cox (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Tuesday, March 10, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone) Former Georgia Tech center Demarco Cox shows the reach that makes him an intriguing NFL prospect. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
March 19, 2015

Former Georgia Tech center Demarco Cox could have an unlikely future – as an NFL offensive tackle.

Cox, who recently completed his senior season with the Yellow Jackets after transferring from Ole Miss, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts. Cox was able to be signed rather than be selected in the draft because he was eligible to be drafted in 2014.

Cox checks out physically – he is listed at 6-foot-8 and 294 pounds – and his physical style of play demonstrated he was not at all shy about contact. Cox also showed good footwork on screen-and-rolls and in defending smaller players on switches.

Cox played high school football in Mississippi and was rated the No. 54 offensive tackle in his class by ESPN. The college basketball-to-NFL route has some wear on it, though most have transitioned to tight end in football.

Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham, Chargers tight end Antonio Gates and Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas all were full-time basketball players. Graham and Thomas both played one season of college football.

About the Author

Ken Sugiura is a sports columnist at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Formerly the Georgia Tech beat reporter, Sugiura started at the AJC in 1998 and has covered a variety of beats, mostly within sports.

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