Rodney Cox went from the bottom of the depth chart to the top in less than a year.
Just 12 months ago, the ASU football coaching staff never thought the senior safety would get a sniff of the No. 1 defense.
But Cox knew better. Even when everyone else doubted him, he always believed he had it in him to become a starter.
"My parents always told me to give 110 percent, to never give up," Cox said. "I've been doing that throughout my five years here, and it's paid off. I'm where I want to be."
Safeties coach Matt Lubick said Cox's relentless work ethic has transformed the former bench fixture into the ball-hawk who made an amazing, falling-out-of-bounds interception in last Saturday's scrimmage.
"Rodney has probably made as much, if not been the most improved player on the football team in every aspect," Lubick said. "He took it upon himself to become a better athlete in the offseason by hard work in the weight room. He's a true student of the game; he spends more time watching film than anybody. It's really important to him to be a perfectionist."
But striving for perfection hasn't come easily.
"Rodney has had some adversity, because his job was definitely not handed to him," Lubick said. "He had to work for it. I have tremendous respect for a guy that has to climb his way up to the top of the ladder."
Cox showed considerable progress in the spring of 2007 but began the regular season last fall buried on the depth chart.
Still, he kept pushing, and eventually that hard work, coupled with injuries to several safeties ahead of him, landed Cox a starting role.
"I've been waiting," Cox said in regards to his starting spot. "I've been hungry waiting for this opportunity and now it's here so I have to take it and fly with it."
Cox started the final three games of 2007 and finished the season with 22 tackles and the first interception of his collegiate career.
But even when Cox had the title of starter bestowed upon him, he didn't let up.
When the 2007 season ended in December, the coaches asked Cox to work on his speed during the off-season.
So what did he do?
Cox dropped 10 pounds and now says that he is, "a whole lot faster than last year."
"When he was at the bottom, he worked the exact same way he does now that he's on the top," Lubick said. "He was never discouraged at the bottom. He just had a tremendous work ethic."
His teammates have also noticed Cox's work ethic.
Senior Troy Nolan, who starts opposite of Cox in the defensive backfield, said the two of them spend a lot of time studying their playbooks, making sure they don't miss a thing.
"We're working well together, we're jelling," Nolan said. "Just like me, Rodney is always trying to get better, and he can adjust to whatever, so that transition went real smooth."
Cox and Nolan also share a quiet demeanor on the field.
While most of the defense taunts the offense throughout practice, Cox and Nolan are rarely heard from.
But Cox said he still talks a mean game.
"I'll tell them what's up when I need to," he said. "Actually, they should have me mic'd up because I say some funny stuff.
"I guess I just have to say it louder."
Reach the reporter at: smauel.good@asu.edu.
