Transfer Quarterback Connor Cox Makes Frostburg His New Home

This fall, football has made a return to the hills of Frostburg. A new attitude and enthusiasm grip the campus as the FSU Football team undergoes the second season under head coach DeLane Fitzgerald, and with a new season, comes new faces. Among those joining the Bobcats for the first time this year is quarterback Connor Cox. Cox, who is listed as a freshman on the Frostburg Athletics website, isn’t the traditional freshman quarterback. A redshirt freshman, Cox is considered to be a freshman on the football field and a sophomore in the classroom. As a transfer from a Division 1 FCS program, Dayton University, Cox aims to bring winning enthusiasm to the campus of Frostburg State University, and lead his team to success.

Cox’s journey to the gridiron here at Frostburg began in 2010. A sophomore at South River High School in Edgewater Maryland, Cox took over the starting varsity quarterback position for two regular season games that season before taking over complete control of the quarterback position his junior year. Cox led the Seahawks to a 6-5 record, throwing for 2896 yards, and 32 touchdowns in his junior campaign. As a senior he improved his statistics, setting a few school records in the process. In his final high school season, Cox boasted 3,080 passing yards, a 67 percent completion rating, 40 touchdowns, over 290 passing yards per game, a season quarterback rating of 132.7, and led the Seahawks to a 8-2 regular season record. Cox earned first team all-county, all-state, and all-metro honors, and was also selected to play in the Maryland Crab Bowl All Star Game, as well as the Baltimore Touchdown Club All Star Game.

Cox reminisced on his senior season at South River and his team’s late season push to qualify for the state tournament. Facing the defending state champions of Old Mill High School in a week ten game, the South River Seahawks were faced with an incredible task; go the length of the field to take the lead in just one minute, or their season was over. “We were 7-2 and we needed to win to make the playoffs,” said Cox, “We were an underdog and took a comfortable 21-0 lead. Next thing you know, Old Mill scored a touchdown with under 1 minute left in the game to take a 35-28 lead. We started the last drive on our 20 yard line with no timeouts,” continued the quarterback. “We went 80 yards for a touchdown in only 3 plays and then we went for two to win the game and make it into the playoffs. I threw the touchdown on that drive, and I ran in the two point conversion. That’s why I love football so much; there is nothing that compares to a moment like that.”

After departing South River following his graduation in the spring of 2013, he opted to attend Loomis Chaffee, a Connecticut boarding school known for its academic prowess and athletic dominance. Cox’s decision came after he was unable to draw scholarship offers from multiple Division 1 schools. His only scholarship offer came from Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA. “I was disappointed by the lack of scholarship offers because I felt that the statistics and accolades that I had were deserving of more attention from scholarship level schools,” said Cox. “I decided to go to Prep school simply to have one whole extra year of being recruited and showcasing my skills against high school opponents for one last year.”

The quarterback experienced great success as a member of the Loomis Chaffee football program. In his one season with the Pelicans, Cox led the team to an 8-2 overall record and helped the offense achieve an average of 36 points per game. “My time at Loomis Chaffee allowed me the chance to adjust and mesh with a completely different group of players in a very short amount of time. I developed the skills of a new offense and expanded my knowledge on how to attack different defenses,” Cox explained. “I added a rushing game to my skill set at prep school that I did not need to showcase as much at my previous school. Prep school allowed me to mature a lot as well. It was very official and very proper with everything that you did as a student. Also, I got the chance to live away from home for a year and get that adjustment out of the way.”

Connor’s prep school success led to bountiful opportunity in his football career. After sending his Loomis Chaffee highlight tape out to several schools, he received offers from a multitude of programs, including Colgate, Delaware, and Wagner. However it was Dayton College in Dayton Ohio which drew most of Cox’s interest. He spent one season at Dayton, where he redshirted and gained experience practicing with Division 1 talent. After his first season had concluded, Cox decided that he would transfer once again. This time, to the rolling hills of Frostburg State University. “I became a much better football player [from attending Dayton],” says Cox. “I learned a lot about reading defense and understanding offensive concepts and situations. I had the opportunity to watch and learn from a four-year starter that had a lot of experience and was very successful. As for the physical aspect, I was the scout quarterback, so I played against a division 1 defense every single day in practice.”

Cox’s first season with the Bobcats has gotten off to a successful start. The team boasts two blowout wins over Geneva College and Southern Virginia University. The team’s only loss was at the hands of the #5 ranked Wesley Wolverines, a perennial playoff contender. With six games still in front of the Bobcats, Cox is confident in his team’s ability to make a run toward the postseason. “This team has a very bright future with a lot of young talent. In six weeks I see this team playing postseason football. This team has improved over the past two years, but I think this year we have a chance to really make a name for ourselves,” said Cox. “We have to take it day by day, not overlook any opponent, and have fun while the rest takes care of itself.”

So far this season, Cox has thrown for 342 yards, 33 completions, and 3 touchdowns. Cox has also proven his worth in the running game, scrambling for 186 yards so far this season, as well as two rushing touchdowns.

Cox and the Frostburg Bobcats hope to continue their early success and build off their two early wins of the season. Cox and the Bobcats host Kean University on October 3, before heading to New Jersey to take on William Patterson.