Kentucky Transfer Portal Watch: Marques Cox is prominent left tackle prospect

Things are beginning to happen for Kentucky football in December. The Wildcats currently need to fill positions at offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and running backs coach. There is also heavy action going on in the transfer portal.

We are at the beginning of a hectic 4-6 week run that will determine what Mark Stoops’ 11th team at Kentucky looks like in 2023. The quarterback position gets much of the attention, but the Cats have a glaring need at offensive tackle.

On Friday, a left tackle target emerged. KSR’s Matt Jones is reporting that Northern Illinois tackle Marques Cox (6-6, 309) is emerging as a major target for Kentucky.

Marques Cox of Northern Illinois is the OT I am hearing Kentucky is most laser focused on right now

He is visiting UK next week and coaches are VERY high on him being able to come in and play right away pic.twitter.com/OptZ5kjs1Q

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) December 2, 2022

The Peoria (Ill.) High product started 33 consecutive games for the Huskies before being lost to injury against Kentucky on Sept. 24. The veteran did not play the rest of the season for the Huskies and announced plans to enter the transfer portal shortly after the season ended for NIU. Cox spent five seasons in DeKalb and the class of 2018 signee will be a super senior in 2023.

During his time in the MAC, the left tackle played in 36 games compiling over 2,000 snaps. Cox was a key part of a 2021 Northern Illinois offensive line that paved the way for a rushing attack that averaged 241.4 yards per game. The Huskies brought home a conference title that season before falling to Coastal Carolina in the Cure Bowl.

Per PFF data, Cox has given up just three sacks in his career on 1,052 pass snaps. On tape, the veteran left tackle moves well for the position and can complete reach blocks. Cox would seemingly be best in an outside zone scheme where he can take advantage of some of that positional athleticism. That movement ability combined with good length leads to wins in pass protection. Physicality at the point of attack is likely the biggest question regarding Cox.

Kentucky is hopeful that Kenneth Horsey will return as a super senior in 2023 where he can slide into his natural position at left guard. But the offense needs a left tackle if that’s going to happen. Marques Cox could be that guy. The upcoming visit will be critical as the program looks for transfers to help bolster the Big Blue Wall.

Recruiting never stops.