By Amanda Ronan
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. -- If senior Chandler Cox could describe himself in three words, they would be loving, caring and giving -- traits all leaders should embody.
To say that Cox is simply a leader at Auburn would be an understatement. He does not just lead on the field, but in all areas of his life as he continuously sets an exceptional example of what a leader should be.
"I am very easy to deal with," Cox said. "I love loving on people and being there for people. I care a lot for people even when they do things that might make people upset. I don't care. I just try to push that aside and help them. I like being the bigger person, and I love giving back to the community and little kids."
Cox began his journey at Auburn as an early enrollee in January of 2015, sacrificing the last semester of his senior year at Apopka High School in Florida to come to Auburn early in hopes of making a quick impact and helping his new team as soon as possible.
It wasn't easy graduating high school early. He missed prom and spring break with his friends. He also was thrown into the fire at Auburn where he was going up against guys bigger and stronger than he ever saw in high school. But his hard work and determination were rewarded as he became the starting H-back his freshman year on the Plains.
Heading into his senior year, Cox has remained a key component of the Auburn offense as a three-year starter who has blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher every year.
"I wanted to set the tone for how I wanted to be perceived early on," Cox said. "I wanted the Auburn Family to know that I was a hard worker, and that I came here to be serious and play to win games. I wanted to compete in championships and win championships. I wanted to work every day to help the team out as much as I could.
"I look back at some of the defining moments as an Auburn football player now, and being a three-year starter here has been something big. Coach [Gus] Malzahn told me there haven't been many three- or four-year starters here."
As a freshman, it was about finding ways to contribute. But Cox has evolved into so much more while at Auburn. His role has continued to grow. It's not just getting that key block to open a hole for the running back or catching a pass out of the backfield. It's coming in every day, being a dependable teammate and becoming one of the more influential leaders on the team.
"I want the younger guys to view me as a leader," said Cox, who earned his bachelor's degree in May. "I want to be someone they can look at in a positive way and someone they can call outside of the complex. I want them to be able to look at me on the field, in the weight room or in the classroom and view me as an example. I try to demonstrate in everything I do what it should be like. That's the biggest thing for me -- try and be that example."
That leadership quality was something Cox had since high school. But the caring part of it? Being that dependable teammate? That stems from former Auburn linebacker Justin Garrett. The two were locker buddies when Garrett was a senior and Cox was just a freshman, and Garrett showed Cox what it meant to be a true leader.
Now, four years later, Cox is hoping to emulate Garrett and be that for the younger guys -- not just a starter but someone that the other players can lean on for experience.
"I remember Justin was always ready to go at practice," Cox said. "He had a hard season that year because he was always getting hurt, but he always remained positive. I see him making an impact after Auburn. That's the kind of guy I looked at back then and I still look at now. I wanted to set that same example."
Cox has set that example. He's still setting that example for his teammates. And now as he heads into his senior season, it's hard to believe that his time at Auburn is nearly over.
"It's hard to describe," Cox said. "Just being a part of the orange and the blue, it's special. The Tiger Walks, the stadium, running out of the tunnel with the smoke, the music, the band, the cheerleaders, the fans, everything. The campus and the classes, too. It's special.
"Auburn has changed my whole life. It's everything I dreamed of as a little kid -- SEC football, big crowds and big games. At a prestigious university like Auburn, it's been something I'm proud of, and I will be proud for the next 10, 20, 30 years to come back and bring my family. It's been awesome. I'm just so proud to be an Auburn Tiger."
The journey is not over yet, though. There's still one more season for Cox and some unfinished business after how last season finished. And after everything that Auburn has given to him, it's only right that he gives everything he's got this last season.
"I'm excited and ready for some redemption," Cox said. "We want to make it to the SEC championship, win it, go to the playoff and ultimately win the national title. Everyone wants to do that, but we actually want to finish it. One more season for us seniors. I'm ready to lead and to make plays. I'm going to enjoy it because not many people get this opportunity."
Amanda Ronan is a student assistant in Auburn athletics communications.