Ivey, Cox may stay together
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Class of 2015 Apopka (Fla.) stars Chandler Cox and Martez Ivey are not only longtime teammates, but also best friends. During the spring and summer, rather than split up for recruiting trips, the duo could often been seen side-by-side at power programs across the Southeast. So when Cox, the nation's No. 1 fullback, elected to commit to Auburnin May, many expected his five-star offensive tackle to follow suit.
But here we are, with calendar set to turn to November, and Ivey still on the open market. Ivey is thought to be mulling between the Tigers and childhood favorite Florida, but insists he has a few more options as well.
"I'm going to Auburn in two weeks, also I'm going to LSU and I'm also going to get to Florida State for the Florida game," Ivey said Monday. "I'm not so sure about the last one, but after I take my officials I will know where I want to go."
Cox said he's doing his best to help recruit Ivey, but knows that ultimately his friend and teammate will make the decision that's best for him.
"Every day I'm trying to get him to pull the trigger ... come to Auburn with me," Cox said. "I know he has some other schools he likes and whatever he decides, I'll support him 100 percent. No matter where he is we'll always be good friends."
Ivey gushed about the opportunity to play alongside Cox for one more game after high school, as the two are set to play in the Army All-American Game in January, but stopped short of saying he expected the two to be playing together for another four years.
"That's my best friend. Who wouldn't want their best friend playing right next to him in a football game?" Ivey said. "Following behind your blocks. That's the best feeling in the world right now. I could be playing a few more (years) but I'll make that decision later."
While his relationship with Cox is clearly important, Ivey said it will be more about what he sees on his official visits that helps him make a final decision.
"My visits are important because these are the schools I'm considering and where I'm going to be spending my life for the next four or five years," Ivey said. "It's humongous. I'm going to take every look and every opportunity to find out what the school has to offer me and what's best for me and what fits me better."
Auburn fans are hoping the potential coaching change at Florida will help them land Ivey, but he said that a change in coaches in Gainesville wouldn't impact his decision.
"I don't get discouraged by decommitments or coaching changes, because players come and go and coaches come and go," Ivey said. "I still got my eyes high on the Gators. My opinions haven't changed about the Gators at all."
Ivey was initially expected to push his decision into early 2015, but said Monday that could change if he gets the urge to make the call.
"I'll make the right decision when the time comes. The time's gonna come, but I'm not so sure about everything right now," Ivey said. "I'm taking it slowly."
Cox said he expects to enroll early at Auburn, with the plan to begin classes in January.
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