HOOVER, Ala. - After four years on the sidelines, Georgia quarterback Joe Cox spent Thursday in the spotlight.
The fifth-year senior took center stage for the Bulldogs during SEC Media Days.
Cox, who has started just one game in his college career (a 2006 win against Mississippi), will spend this fall trying to replace Matthew Stafford, the NFL's No. 1 draft pick.
Stafford was 27-7 in his three years as the Bulldogs' starting quarterback.
"Obviously there is pressure. But it's not something I think about," Cox said. "The success of this team is not all on my shoulders. There are 10 other guys that get the job done as well. I won't carry the team. We'll work together. And that is where our success will come from, the team."
Cox hopes to follow in the footsteps of former teammate and friend D.J. Shockley, who also had to wait his turn before leading the Bulldogs to an SEC title as a redshirt senior in 2005.
Though Cox lost the starting job to Stafford in 2006, he isn't without experience.
He was 11 of 15 for 151 yards and two touchdowns last year and is 33 of 58 for 432 yards and five touchdowns in his career.
Cox also led Georgia to a 14-13 come-from-behind win against Colorado in 2006 after Stafford went down with an injury.
"When it comes to quarterback play, in my opinion, you need to have an accurate passer, need to have a great decision-maker, need to have a young man who can handle the pressure of the job and need a guy who can lead," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "Joe really personifies all of those characteristics."
In addition to their SEC schedule, Georgia faces and out-of-conference gauntlet that includes Oklahoma State, Arizona State and Georgia Tech.
Cox was 31-0 at Independence High School in Charlottte, N.C., and was twice named MVP of the state title game, but he will likely have to listen to clamoring for highly touted freshman Aaron Murray.
"I think you always have to look over your shoulder," Cox said. "There's three strong guys behind me, but it only makes me work that much harder to keep my job. Competition can be a good thing."
