Torrie Cox Jr. staying hungry after solid start with Illini

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – Ohio transfer cornerback Torrie Cox Jr. has made the transition from MAC to Big Ten look fairly seamless, but he doesn’t think he’s reached his potential.

“I really don’t feel like I’ve done anything yet,” Cox Jr. said. “I’ve just shown little flashes here and there, but I’ve got to be better and I’m going to be way better for sure.”

Cox Jr. has shown some big flashes through five games as he’s one of three Illini with multiple interceptions, including a game-changing pick in the end zone to take away a Nebraska touchdown. Illinois went on to win 31-24 in overtime.

Illinois defensive backs coach Corey Parker has also made the jump up to the Big Ten after moving over from Toledo. He likes Cox Jr.’s mentality.

“Love that in him,” Parker said on Tuesday. “His father holds him to a high standard, he was a great player,” Parker said. “His brother holds him to a high standard because he’s doing really, really good at Miami Northwestern. It’s a lot of competition in that family of who’s getting the most PBUs and picks every week. He’s holding himself to that high standard as well. Happy to have that type of guy with that humility and hunger, that great mixture of it. Really love having him in the room.”

The lone loss of the season for Illinois was in its first game of the year which the defense did not force a turnover. The Illini look to get back in the win column, and the forced turnover column, on Saturday, Oct. 12 against Purdue.

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