Cox excited about attending Tide-Tigers game

To say the least, last week went well for Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Northridge junior receiver James Cox.

On Thursday night, he caught three passes for 169 yards and three touchdowns with Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain watching from the sidelines. Two days later, he attended a game at Auburn and returned home more than a little impressed.

"Alabama is showing me a lot of interest," Cox said. "I really think an offer is coming. I'm just going to be patient. Auburn seems pretty interested. I talked to [Tigers assistant Phillip] Lolley. He just told me to keep working hard."

To date, the 6-feet, 190-pound Cox has offers from Mississippi State and Purdue. The Boilermakers offered just last week.

"I've been to Mississippi State a few times," Cox said. "I know everyone there good, even the players. One of our former players is playing there [linebacker Brandon Wilson]. I like it. It's not too far from home. Coach [Dan] Mullen is really turning that program around. They're on me pretty closely. Every time I'm down there, Coach [Geoff Collins] is trying to get me to pull the trigger."

Thus far, Cox has been to games this fall at Alabama, Mississippi State and Auburn.

"I liked it down [at Auburn]," Cox said. "I liked the school and the Tiger Walk. I really enjoyed it there. They treated everybody like family. I had a pretty good time down there."

Next up, Cox will attend Saturday's monster showdown between Alabama and LSU in Tuscaloosa.

"Oh man, I'm real excited," Cox said. "I'm anxious to see who comes out with that 'W.' Every time I go there, the coaches show us around and I get a feel for how it would be to play with these guys."

Keith Niebuhr can be reached at kneebs01@aol.com. You can follow him on Twitter @KeithRIVALS.