Despite being a fifth-year senior, Jasir Cox is entering his first year in Morgantown after spending four seasons with FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. Cox has played since his true freshman season in 2018 and contributed to the Bison’s FCS National Championships in 2018, 2019, and 2021.
Cox played the linebacker position during his time with North Dakota State but will now be taking on the challenge of moving to the spear position.
The spear position is not one that is used by every team, but it is integral part of Jordan Lesley’s defense.
Cox spoke with the media on Thursday on what the spear position brings to the table.
“I would just say that he’s a player who’s a jack of all trades,” Cox said. “You cover the tight ends, you come down, you take on offensive linemen, you have to guard the shiftiest players out there, the slot receivers. He’s just a guy who is a Swiss army knife.”
Cox was also asked about the challenges of moving from an outside linebacker position to the spear.
“I would say it’s more of not being inside the box,” Cox said. “Covering the slot receivers or the guys who usually run better routes, I think that’s just the biggest adjustment to me.”
When looking at the spear position, Cox knew WVU would be a place where he could utilize his talents because of how the Mountaineer defense is set up.
“I’ve done a lot of research on the position and on the team as well, and I see that they’re really useful with this position,” Cox said. “He’s (the spear) a real flexible guy, and I feel like I’m capable of that.”
Cox is one of only two athletes listed at the spear position on WVU’s roster, with the other being redshirt sophomore Naim Muhammad, but redshirt freshman Davis Mallinger might get some snaps at the position as well.
As Cox makes a leap into the FBS level of college football, he wants to bring his culture of winning with him, while also proving the nay-sayers wrong.
“My decision coming here was to make a change, to make a difference to the program,” Cox said. “I know guys look at the FCS as just a step down from the FBS, but I feel winning is winning.”
After leaving North Dakota State, Cox received interest from a number of schools, with in- conference rivals Oklahoma State and Texas both reaching out.
Cox spoke on what drew him to West Virginia above the other competitors.
“Once I came here (West Virginia), I just knew it was the right fit for me,” Cox said. “It was a long decision, but I felt West Virginia was the best fit for me once they reached out to me because all the coaching staff showed me that I was more than just a player to them.”
Photo by Dale Sparks, WVU Football
