Brenton Cox feels Athens could be his town

Georgia lost Brenton Cox once to Ohio State, but Kirby Smart wasn't going to lose him twice.

The 6-foot-4, 245 pound defensive end out of Stockbridge (Ga.) committed to Georgia over Alabama and the Bulldogs are keeping the No. 6-ranked prospect at home.

Cox really mulled over this decision and Alabama stayed in this race all the way up to the final hour, but it was Georgia that stayed on his mind.

"I have always liked Georgia," said Cox. "I have been taking trips to Georgia for a little while now, but I just did not want to make them public. I would go up there for a few hours, maybe a day or two and I just got comfortable there.

"A lot of people thought I wasn't looking at Georgia anymore, but I never really stopped. They are the home-state school, they run a defense I fit into well and I really like what they are building there.

"Alabama and Georgia are so similar, so the decision was very difficult, but Georgia has everything I am looking for and it is the home-state school."

When Smart was the defensive coordinator at Alabama, he was recognized almost yearly as one of the top recruiters in the country. Since taking over as head coach in Athens, nothing has changed.

He is now one of the best recruiters that is a head coach.

His ability to relate to Cox played into his decision too and as a couple of leaders head to the NFL, Cox feels he could fill that role soon.

"It is really the players there, the atmosphere and Kirby Smart for me. Coach Smart is a cool coach and he just gets it.

"It feels at home for me when I am there too. I feel like Athens could be my town. I see Nick Chubb and Sony Michel on the billboards and I think that could be me in a couple of years.

"I already feel like I am part of things up there and it just feels right when I am there. I feel I could be the face of the program one day."

Alabama has had success like not many others have had in college football over the past decade. Nick Saban gave it his best shot, but seeing Georgia win the SEC Championship and play in the College Football Playoff this season, Cox sees a bright future between the heads.

"Georgia is building something special and that played a big role in my decision," said Cox. "Alabama and Georgia are very similar schools and they both wanted me, but I just had to go with what felt right for me.

"I had to go with my heart."

Cox has already discussed jersey numbers with the Georgia staff and he plans to wear No. 1 as a Bulldog.