Florida has not posted its official roster for 2020, but through social media, some players have revealed their jersey numbers. Many fans were surprised that Brenton Cox, a transfer defender from Georgia who had to sit out the 2019 season, earned the coveted No. 1. While not quite the established jersey number tradition as some other programs, Mullen revealed that he would follow an Urban Meyer tradition and only award No. 1 to special players at Florida. C.J. Henderson, No. 9 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, wore No. 1 on defense for Florida last season while Kadarius Toney wore No. 1 on offense.

“You’ve got to be a baller to be No. 1,” Mullen said at a booster club event ahead of the 2018 season. “I don’t know if I have anybody at No. 1 just yet. I don’t know if anybody’s done enough in general.”

During a Zoom call with Florida beat reporters on Thursday, Mullen was asked about Cox getting to wear No. 1.

“I would think the player makes the jersey, not vice versa,” Mullen said, per Thomas Goldkamp of 247Sports. “But I have high expectations for him no matter what jersey number he’s going to be in this year.”

Cox hasn’t had the opportunity to impress during a Gator game yet but Mullen is pleased how the former Bulldog has done off the field at UF.

“I think he’s worked hard,” Mullen said, according to Goldkamp. “He’s done a great job for us. He’s done a great job in the classroom since he’s been here, had over a 3.0 GPA every semester that he’s been here. Really worked hard in the offseason program. …”

The third-year head coach said Cox has the versatility to play at multiple spots this fall.

“He could go everywhere,” Mullen said on the call, per Swamp247. “He’s a good player. We play guys at a lot of different positions. You’ve got to cross-train a lot of different guys. Especially a season like this you don’t know how things are going to shape up, so you better have the depth and versatility. But I think he’s a guy that wants to play after college as well, and have the opportunity to play in the NFL. And so in the NFL you want guys; the more versatility you have the better, so he’s a pretty versatile guy.”

Cox played in 13 games for Georgia in the 2018 season. He recorded 20 total tackles, including 2 for loss and a sack along with 3 pass breakups.