Prowling The Roster: #99 Rakim Cox

Rakim Cox

Senior, 6'4" 265 lbs.

San Diego, CA

2012 Stats: Rakim Cox played in all 12 games for the Wildcats during their CAA-title winning campaign, finishing with 21 tackles on the season (18 solo, 6 assists). More impressively, however, Cox was the team's sack leader with 5.5 sacks registered and 7 total tackles for loss. Cox was also able to defend 2 passes on the season.

Depth Chart Position: Cox is penciled in as the starter at one of the defensive end spots in Villanova's base 3-3-5 alignment and barring injury should be everpresent in the lineup come fall.

How He Came To Villanova: Cox attended San Diego High School in California, and was a varsity lettermen in football, basketball and track. He was an All-League football selection in his senior season, and was voted to the San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic team from 2007-2009 in high school. Cox, a Sociology major, graduated in May and will be returning for his 5th season at Villanova.

Expected Output In 2013: After registering a career high in sacks last season, and nearly replicating his career-best in tackles, Cox will be expected to lead not only the defensive line, but the entire defensive unit that lost some key pieces from last year. Cox looks poised to become the next Villanova player in the NFL ranks - Andy Talley has said he's got the potential to play at the next level. He'll look to improve on the sack totals and TFL numbers from a year ago while helping to shore up a 'Nova run defense that was mauled a couple of times during 2012.

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