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Kirby Smart goes in depth on the challenge of facing Brenton Cox, Florida's defensive front

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•10/28/22•

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(Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

As Kirby Smart built his game plan for Georgia vs. Florida this week, he saw a familiar face on the Gators’ defensive front. Brenton Cox started his career with the Bulldogs before joining the Gators in 2019, and he garnered some high praise from his former coach.

Smart knows the challenge Florida’s defensive line presents, especially Cox, who’s coming off a big year in 2021. He had 14.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks a year ago, and is putting up good numbers again this season with 8.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks through seven games.

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Cox is an anchor on the defensive line, and Smart said he’s a focal point as the rivalry matchup approaches.

“Extremely disruptive,” Smart said of the Florida defensive front. “The size and girth in the middle is what you want in the SEC to control run games … and then they still got the edge guys with Brenton being probably the most disruptive guy that we play in terms of just violence, striking, knock-back, setting edges, affecting the quarterback. He’s a game-breaker at that.”

Kirby Smart offers update on availability of Jalen Carter, AD Mitchell against Florida

Smart also offered injury updates on defensive tackle Jalen Carter and receiver AD Mitchell. Unfortunately for Bulldogs fans, those updates didn’t provide any positive news as they prepare to face Florida on Saturday.

“(Carter and Mitchell) have done things sparingly,” Smart said. “They’ve done a little bit, but they don’t feel great about ’em. Jalen’s probably looked better than AD, but I don’t know at this point if either one of them will be able to play.”

Carter has been dealing with a sprained knee that caused him to miss each of the past two games, while Mitchell has appeared in only three games this season as he nurses high ankle sprain. He saw his first action since Week 2 against Auburn on Oct. 8, but did not record a catch and again sat out the following week.