Fletcher Cox

He is the highest selected Mississippi State BullDog since Michael Haddix in 1983, and the highest selected BullDog defensive lineman since Jimmy Webb in 1975.

Fletcher Cox (born December 13, 1990) is a former American football defensive tackle who spent his entire 12-season career with the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL).

At the 2009 Division 3-4A Meet, he placed eighth in the high jump event, with a leap of 1.74 meters.

In relays, he had personal-best times of 44.32 seconds in the 4 × 100m relay and 1:32.63 minutes in the 4 × 200m relay.

He was also credited with a 4.47 time in the 40-yard dash, and benched 300 lb.

In football, Cox was named an All-American by Pro Football Weekly as a junior in 2011, after totaling 103 total tackles, including 11 quarterback sacks and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

As a senior, he had 104 total tackles, including 10 quarterback sacks, and also added one interception and a fumble recovery.

He was selected to play in the Mississippi-Alabama High School All-Star game.

He was also on the Yazoo High track and field team, where he competed in the high jump and in the relays.

He played college football at Mississippi State, and was drafted by the Eagles in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

During his career, Cox won one Super Bowl, was selected to the Pro Bowl six times, and was named an All-Pro four times.

Cox attended Yazoo City High School in Yazoo City, Mississippi, where he played football and basketball and ran track.

Cox played three seasons at Mississippi State University.

The Philadelphia Eagles traded up from the 15th selection to select Cox with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Cox was signed to a four-year contract on June 18, 2012.

On October 14, 2012, Cox was ejected after throwing punches at Detroit Lions players, and was fined $21,000.

During his rookie year in 2012, Cox played 15 games and finished with 39 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four passes defended, and one forced fumble.

With the Eagles switching to a 3–4 type defense in 2013, Cox played defensive end.

In 2013, Cox started all 16 games and finished with 44 tackles, three sacks, three passes defended, and one fumble recovery.

In the 2014 regular season opener for the Eagles, Cox had a 17-yard defensive fumble return for a touchdown in the 34–17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The 2014 season was a breakout year for Cox, acquiring 61 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries in 16 games.

His presence along the Eagles defensive line led to league-wide recognition and Second-team All-Pro honors.

On April 27, 2015, the Eagles picked up his 5th year option, keeping him with the team through the 2016 season.

In a matchup against the New Orleans Saints in Week 5 of the 2015 season, Cox recorded three sacks and two forced fumbles.

For his game against the Saints, he earned National Football Conference (NFC) Defensive Player of the Week.

Cox finished the 2015 season with 71 tackles, 9.5 sacks, two passes defended, and three forced fumbles.

For his efforts, Cox received Second-team All-Pro honors and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.

He received the Ed Block Courage Award.

He was ranked 49th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.

In 2016, the Eagles reverted to a 4–3 scheme, leading to Cox switching back to defensive tackle.

On June 13, 2016, Cox signed a six-year, $103 million extension with the Eagles with $63 million guaranteed.

He finished the 2016 season with 6.5 sacks, 43 total tackles, two passes defended, and one forced fumble.

As a result of a successful 2016 season, Cox was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl.

Regarded as a four-star recruit by national recruiting website Rivals.com, Cox was rated as the fifth-best weak side defensive end in the country, the second-best prospect in the state of Mississippi, and the 17th-best defensive end prospect in the country by Scout.com.

He chose to attend Mississippi State over scholarship offers from LSU, Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss.

He was ranked 38th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.

On September 10, 2017, in the season opening 30–17 victory over the Redskins, Cox recovered a fumble from quarterback Kirk Cousins and returned it for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to help put the game away.

On December 19, 2017, Cox was named to his third straight Pro Bowl.

Cox could not play in the Pro Bowl because of his team advancing to the Super Bowl.

The Eagles defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII 41–33 to give Cox his first Super Bowl ring.