Going for Broke: Cox Takes Out Loan to Continue Career

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SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Defensive End Rakim Cox made sure to cash in on his preseason opportunity late in Friday’s 25-24 win over Buffalo.

Cox recorded a sack and two tackles on a stretch of five plays to grab the coaches’ attention.

“I’m going to do what I have to do to get to the quarterback and make that play,” Cox said.

Cox has shown that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish his dream of playing in the league. Undrafted out of Villanova in 2014, Cox was cut by both Minnesota and Miami last preseason and was not signed by any other teams. 

That meant watching peers he played against in college on TV each and every Sunday.

“It kind of made me want to work even harder,” Cox said.

Cox has been working for this opportunity for ten months. Since being cut, he did not get a job, but focused all his attention on training. That meant paying his way for ten months with credit cards and loans.

“I had to budget wisely, spend it carefully,” Cox said. “Gas, memberships, supplements and
food was the biggest thing–considering I am a defensive end.”

When asked what he would do if Cox–who has never played a NFL regular season game–would do if he didn’t make a roster:

“I can’t think, ‘what-if’.”

Cox was the bright spot at an otherwise weak showing from the defensive end position in the Panthers’ first preseason game. Left defensive end Charles Johnson was held out with a calf injury, and the two frontrunners for the right DE spot, Frank Alexander and Kony Ealy, struggled to spark a pass-rush.

“Right now he has shown a real nice edge rush,” Head Coach Ron Rivera said of Cox.

Cox received reps with the first and second team on Monday’s practice and he will get his shot to match up against better talent in this week’s joint scrimmages and Saturday’s preseason game with the Dolphins.

“I know what I’m capable of and I know I can bring something to the table,” Cox said.