Auburn's Cox Looks for Big Season on the Plains

What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time all the talk at Auburn was about whether quarterback Brandon Cox could fill the shoes of departed SEC Player of the Year, Jason Campbell. On opening night, Cox showed his potential along with his inexperience as he threw for 342 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions in a loss to Georgia Tech.

Fast forward to 2006 and Cox is the toast of the SEC. But Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville says Cox still has some challenges ahead. "Brandon is coming off a successful first year as a starter, but he has a lot of room for improvement," says Tuberville. "He has gotten stronger and bigger and knows more about the offense.

"He's going to have to depend on some young guys around him, but this is a year Brandon needs to make a statement for himself," Tuberville continues. "He has two years remaining and he needs to take more of a leadership role now that he has the experience, and I think he will do that," said Tuberville.

Senior wide receiver Courtney Taylor has already seen a difference during preseason practice. On more than one occasion Taylor has talked about the difference in Cox this year, pointing out that he's much more vocal than last season and the unchallenged leader on the field. With a group of young receivers taking lead roles this year, it's imperative that Cox be a leader with them and more importantly relax them and keep them focused in game situations.

As with the team, expectations are high for the junior from Trussville, Alabama. Cox has been placed on the Maxwell and Manning Awards watch list for top quarterback in the country. Yesterday, he was added to one more, the Davey O'Brien Award. Look for Cox to have a big night Saturday against Washington State. The Cougar secondary is in flux and should give Cox plenty of opportunity to test his new receivers.