Film Room: Marques Cox

Addressing the offensive line in the transfer portal was a must-do task for Kentucky football in the offseason. For the second time in a week, the Wildcats have added a potential starter to the Big Blue Wall.

Northern Illinois transfer Marques Cox (6-6, 309) announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Nov. 28 and Kentucky quickly targeted the Peoria (Ill.) High product. The Cats were able to wrap up a commitment and have addressed offensive tackle as Cox will use his final year of eligibility in Lexington.

The MAC transfer started 33 games at left tackle for Northern Illinois playing over 2,200 snaps in a run-heavy scheme that used a variety of concepts. Thanks to yearly improvement and solid awareness, Cox can be an instant starter in the SEC.

Let’s step into the KSR Film Room to see what the latest commit will bring to the Kentucky offense.

Reported offensive coordinator Liam Coen comes to Kentucky from a wide zone offense. Current offensive line coach Zach Yenser came to Kentucky from a wide zone offense. We have yet to see the stretch play become a staple for the offense, but it’s not something that will be thrown away easily.

However, Kentucky must recruit to it to run it.

Under Northern Illinois offensive coordinator Eric Eidsness, the Huskies have a good variety in their run game. NIU used some outside zone and Cox appeared to be best suited in this run concept as a tackle with good lateral movement skills that could complete reach blocks.

On a stretch run in the boundary, Cox does a good job of striking against Kentucky and works the blocks down the line as the entire offensive line moves the line of scrimmage to the left. Cox then flashes finishing ability with a pancake block. The super senior seems to be a clear scheme fit for an outside zone offense.

Last season, one of the biggest issues that plagued Kentucky’s offensive line was the inability to pick up stunts. Quite often, players were unsure who was responsible for who in protection schemes. This led to a lot of pressures and unnecessary hits on the quarterback.

Kentucky must solve whatever problems they had with this in the offseason. Marques Cox could be a key in solving issues. The left tackle flashes football intelligence on tape and picks up stunts consistently.

On a third down snap in a goal-to-go situation, Kentucky brings an off-ball linebacker off the edge as a free runner once the tight end releases. This seems to be a great call until Cox finishes the play with two blocks.

The left tackle helps out his left guard as the standup defensive end slants into the B gap. After slowing that down, Cox does a good job of keeping his head up to see the outside rusher. Cox then slides outside to get his hands on the rusher and this keeps his quarterback clean for the touchdown throw.

We did not see many plays in pass protection like this from Kentucky last season. Cox and the NIU tailback are the keys in picking up the seven-man pressure leading to a touchdown. The left tackle flashes very good awareness on tape.

Being able to adjust on the fly is critical on the offensive line. Defensive players will win some early battles but recovery skills can help offensive lineman record wins. Those wins can lead to big plays.

As the backside tackle in this run concept, Marques Cox gets beat inside and gives up immediate penetration. However, the tackle does a good job of staying locked on and finishing his block. Cox recovers after losing early and drives his opponent out of the play. That finish creates an explosive play touchdown.

Playing with effort goes a long way in any position on the football field.

When anyone moves up a level in college football, there are going to be legitimate concerns regarding the skills translating to better competition. Luckily, we’ve seen Marques Cox face some power conference competition and has held up just fine.

Facing Kentucky star Deone Walker, Cox looks more than capable at left tackle.

The addition of Marques Cox made a ton of sense right away for Kentucky. The MAC transfer is a true left tackle that has played a lot of football. But most importantly, he brings the size and length required at the position with solid production and good football intelligence.

Kentucky’s latest addition is a plug-and-play left tackle that is a scheme fit for a zone run game and is capable in pass protection. Cox flashed improvement each year at Northern Illinois giving up zero pressures in pass protection in a shortened 2022 season after allowing 32 in his first two seasons.

The super senior is coming off a season-ending injury so that is a concern along with some worries about creating movement at the point of attack in gap schemes and holding up in pass protection during isolation situations. However, this is an addition that checks many boxes for Kentucky.

The program had to find an answer at left tackle and did just that early in the transfer portal window so a new offensive line group can begin working together in spring practice.