2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Garrett Cox, LB, Indiana University of PA

• Name: Garrett Cox
• Position: Linebacker
• College: Indiana University of PA
• Height: 5’11
• Weight: 230
• Twitter: garrettcox_29
• Instagram: garrettcox_29

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2025 NFL Draft? 

My work ethic and determination. I’m always looking at things I can improve on. Even after my first All-American season in 2023, I felt like there was things I needed to improve on, and by doing so I was able to get All-American again in 2024. I’m determined to be the best linebacker, and most of that starts in the off-season, working on drills and strength training. My experience as well, playing 42 games in college, 347 career tackles the stats and film show it, back-to-back 100 tackle seasons, always pursuing the ball. Switching schools shows I’m not a system guy, I went from playing linebacker in a 3 down front at Millersville to a 4 down front at IUP so I have experienced many different front looks and different coverage schemes. 

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I just love the sport of football. Every day I show up excited and wanting to play this amazing sport. My mindset towards football, I always want to improve and be the best version of myself which allows me to push the people around me to become the best version of themselves.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

Toys for Tots. Especially around Christmas time, no kid should be left out of Christmas regardless of their home situation. Kids shouldn’t have to wonder why Santa gave their friends a lot of gifts but couldn’t provide gifts for them

Who was your role model? 

My high school coach Lance Frazier is someone I look up to a lot. He helped me put together a great high school career which guided me into playing college football. He guided me through the transfer portal when I was leaving Millersville. He’s helping me through the process of becoming a professional player now as well. He’s someone who has played and excelled in the college and professional levels of football. He knows football very well and knows all the abilities it takes to play at the next level like speed, strength training, etc… so his guidance is something I appreciate greatly 

Who is your favorite NFL team?

Detroit Lions 

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

Kalen Frazier, I played high school football with him as well. He’s a kid that just shows up and works. Never hear him complain and in the off-season he works on his craft nonstop. This year and last year he didn’t get the accolades he deserved, he was the best corner in the PSAC 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

People complain, especially about football. This is a sport not many get the opportunity to play and it’s a sport where you never know when your last play could be. To me when people complain about it, it makes me feel as if they are taking it for granted. 

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

I think it would be my college professor, Professor Lehman, who taught Anatomy and Physiology I and II. She cared about the students, was engaging and her class was interesting 

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

Mine was playing college football from high school. During my senior year of high school I felt like I never got the looks and opportunities from colleges I thought I deserved. I only had one scholarship offer to play division II football out of high school. It was something that upset me and caused me to doubt if I was good enough. But it never slowed me down, only made me want to work harder. Fast forward to now, I was able to have two All-American years in 2023 and 2024 as a linebacker at the Division II level. It taught me a lot about myself and my mental strength, you can’t get upset over the opinions of others if they don’t think you’re good enough. The only thing you can control is your attitude and how you work to become your best version. The best will always shine no matter what. 

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

Cheesecake factory 

What is your favorite snack food? 

Ritz crackers

What is your degree in? 

Pre physical therapy

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

Ray Lewis, is the best linebacker to ever play, just to understand his mindset and way of thinking. James Harrison was another great player as well, his story is enjoyable because he was someone overlooked to play at the next level and he never gave up. Luke Kuechly, was the smartest player to ever play Linebacker. Understanding how to break down film in the ways he did and look at other opponents from his perspective would be beneficial. 

What is your biggest weakness? 

I am confident in my ability to play at the next level and believe I can be the best at what I do, but it would be delusional to say I don’t have areas to improve on. I would start with pass coverage, not letting my pad level get too high so when I open up my hips to cover a route I’m not on my heels. After every season I tell myself I need to improve block destruction, it’s something that no one can ever be too good at and something every linebacker should want to improve on.