’29 defender was a contributor on both sides of the scrimmage line
College coaches prefer recruiting athletes who compete in a multitude of sports as opposed to just attempting to specialize in one. No less than former Alabama head football coach, Nick Saban, arguably among the finest college football coaches in the sport’s history, was known for being adamant that he preferred athletes who played multiple sports because it provided different competitive situations, led to well-rounded athletes, and was a sign of a competitor. Saban also said early specialization in one sport can lead to burnout and is (actually) less valuable than having athletes who have experiences in diverse athletic environments. It is important, and stressed by LCA’s administration, that kids should compete in as many sports as they wish and prove able. Allen Cox (’29 WR/SS/FS) contributes in multiple sports for the Eagles and, as a matter of fact, is considered as much or more of a prospect in baseball as he is in football. Enjoy this look at a ’29 multi-phase player who is sure to get substantially more run in 2026.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
eCampus.com was built on a simple idea: make textbooks affordable, convenient, and accessible for every student. Founded in 1999 in Lexington, KY and backed by visionary investors like Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, the company has grown into a premier online textbook retailer for high school and college students nationwide.
Their mission has always been supporting student success both on and off the field through affordable access to the course materials they need. eCampus.com is excited to invest in our student-athletes through Kentucky Prep Gridiron (KPGFootball) which was founded to promote and assist young high school football players get promoted to “next level,” college football opportunities.
That is why eCampus.com sponsors the KPGFootball, Big Man on the eCampus series. This week we are doing something a bit different. In stead of giving you a feature, we are going to predict the order of finish in the 2A classification for the ’26 season.
We aren’t sure how many of you remember this, but KPGFootball may have been the only Kentucky-wide publication which came out on the record and picked the Eagles to win the title last season (2025). We didn’t panic when the team came out of the gates losing three of its first four.
Iron sharpens iron. We knew the tough early season schedule would pay off dividends in 2025 when it got to playoff time. We were right and believe the similar course of action, in 2026, may well net a similar result.
The 2A classification will be a tough league in 2026 and boasts as many top-flight, top-notch teams as any other class in the commonwealth. There are literally 11-teams who could take home the title with four to five at the top capable of beating the other depending on factors as rudimentary as the location of the game.
Photo: Jared Peck, Lexington Herald Leader
Lexington, KY: Allen Cox has been measured anywhere from 5’8″ to 5’11,” and from 130-155-pounds. What are both much larger is the rising sophomore’s heart and competitive spirit! Like his classmate (Blackerby), Cox is also a promising baseball prospect in addition to his excellent play on the gridiron.
Cox shares a name with one of Kentucky’s All-Time football coaches, also named “Allen Cox.” We do know this…the younger Cox’s time is right now.
Kenny Loggins, one of the great singer/songwriters of his (and my) generation, once recorded a song entitled This is It. Loggins wrote the song about his ailing father who had undergone a series of surgeries for vascular problems stemming from small strokes and was discouraged at the prospect of another. The song had the following lyrics:
🎶(This is it) Make no mistake where you are
(This is it) Your back's to the corner
(This is it) Don't be a fool anymore
(This is it) The waiting is over🎶
Kenneth Clark Loggins, Michael H. McDonald, 1987
The same could be said about our young football playing phenomenon. Cox is coming into his sophomore season after having been instrumental, as a freshman, in the program’s winning its second overall title.
This is it, young man! Make no mistakes where you are. Your back’s to the corner.
As for the other Cox, the football coaching legend. I wrote about him this summer and he is featured in Chapter Nine (9) of my newly published book, Kentucky’s All-Time High School Football Coaches & A Few More I Liked.
Coach [Allan] Cox’s nickname in college, playing for UT Martin, was “Buckwheat.” We mention this in case our present star is in need of a nickname.
Clearly, Cox men can ball. Cox, the one playing for LCA, had quit a year particularly for a freshman.
Cox men, including the one playing for the Eagles, can ball!
Friday Night Fletch
Cox registered 20-tackles on defense, was the scout team offensive player of the week the week of the championship game with Owensboro Catholic, and registered a hand full of rushing attempts to go along with five (5) receptions, one of which scored a TD. On a roster which finished 12-3, won the KHSAA 2A title, and pretty much played all comers, that is right fine work for any freshman.
Cox saw the field in all 15-varsity games a year ago. Cox figures to continue to see a ton of snaps from this point until he walks across the graduation stage in 2029.
This was a huge offseason for Cox and his fellow freshmen and a fine opportunity. There has been a ton of physical development which occurred. There were a ton of camps, combines, and sevens throws which provided Cox and classmates opportunities to be both seen and recruited for next level opportunities.
For now, there is a job for which to prepare getting regularly inserted into the play rotation. For now, there are other championships to win.
Beginning with the “Holy War” with Lexington Catholic, the Eagles rode a win-streak and climbed its way to the tippy-top. The staff did an excellent job of insuring the team was both ready to play, regardless of opponent, and executing in fine form each and every week.
The Eagles are a consistent title contender in the 2A classification. The Eagles always seem to round into playoff form at just the right time.
Obviously, the jury is still out on whether Cox is or isn’t a next level athlete at least in football. His baseball prowess appears more certain among those who are in the know.
Should Cox demonstrate the ability to play collegiately in either football or baseball, it will be directly related to his work ethic and willingness to make the necessary sacrifices to continue to develop along his present trajectory. There are plenty of coaches who believe Allen Cox is a next level guy in several sports.
We know this, Cox’s performance, last season, only strengthened (in our minds) our willingness to predict his future success. We also believe Cox to be a strong, academic performer; possessing excellent class standing and sure-fire qualifying credentials for the NCAA Clearinghouse.
Cox is one final thing, in addition to all the other skills and assets we have highlighted. Cox is among the best athletes and baseball prospects in the KHSAA’s ’29 graduating class in addition to his being our eCampus.com, Big Man on the eCampus feature of the week!
Join us next week as we return to honor another eCampus.com, Big Man on the eCampus. Until then, from any classroom to every field, eCampus.com delivers an easy, fast, and affordable way to order textbooks for students everywhere.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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