AUBURN, Ala. – Chandler Cox spent Saturday on a boat in Utah, waiting for his ship to come in.
"I didn't want to sit around the TV and wait," said Cox Monday while driving to the Las Vegas airport. In the seventh round, Chandler received a call from Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier.
"He told me they were about to draft me," Cox said. "My heart started beating really fast. It was special, something I had dreamed of ever since I was a little kid."
A high school football star in Apopka, Florida, Cox will return to his home state to begin his NFL journey.
"I'm super excited," he said. "Growing up in Florida, it's one of those teams I had hoped to hear the call from one day, and I did on Saturday. It was awesome."
Eight of Cox's Auburn teammates will soon be joining him in NFL training camps. Six Tigers were drafted last week and three more signed as free agents.
"Auburn had a huge impact on this moment," said Cox, a four-year starter at fullback from 2015-18. "Without Auburn and without Coach Malzahn and Coach Porter, I wouldn't be in this position.
"When Coach Porter got there at the end of my sophomore year, he really changed the way I played, helped me with my technique, the way I play physical. Especially Coach Malzahn. He gave me the chance to come to Auburn and be a starter for four years because he trusted me and he knew that I could get the job done. Those coaches, and Auburn in general, changed my life forever and helped me get to this point."
Auburn's six draft picks are the program's most since the NFL Draft was reduced to seven rounds in 1994 and its most since 1991, when the draft lasted 12 rounds.
Auburn's 2019 draft class is tied for the fifth-most Tigers taken since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
Auburn Tigers in the NFL Draft
1989: 10
1988: 8
1984: 8
1986: 7
2019: 6
1991: 6
1981: 6
In Gus Malzahn's six seasons as head coach, 26 Tigers have been drafted, nearly doubling the 16 Auburn players drafted in the previous six seasons from 2008-13.
"That's a very good sign," Malzahn said. "We have a whole bunch of guys who will be drafted next year. I really think this will be a trend of having more guys drafted each year. It says a lot about the way we've been recruiting. It says a lot about our coaches being able to develop them."
During the Malzahn era, at least three players have been drafted in six consecutive years, the fifth-longest current streak in the country, and tied for the second-longest Auburn streak in the half-century since the merger.
Auburn's streaks of 6+ years of having 3+ draft picks
1984-98
2014-19
2004-09
Defensive back Jamel Dean, drafted by Tampa Bay in the third round, was the first Tiger taken. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham joined New England in the fourth round. Receiver Darius Slayton went to the New York Giants in the fifth round. Cincinnati drafted linebacker Deshaun Davis in the sixth round, with Cox going to the Dolphins and defensive lineman Dontavius Russell joining Jacksonville in the seventh.
"It was like an emotional rollercoaster that lasted for maybe two hours," said Russell, recalling the drama from Saturday, when several teams called offering free agent daels, had Russell gone undrafted. "Luckily, the Jaguars gave me an opportunity."
A model of durability and productivity, Russell started 49 games and made 154 tackles in four seasons.
"To be able to compete at a high level consistently over time. I think that doesn't go unnoticed. To be able to compete and being used to competing with top-level guys, I feel like that will help me going into the minicamps. I couldn't thank Coach G [associate head coach Rodney Garner] enough.
"I came back, I played my last season, I got my degree like I wanted to, and I got to achieve my lifelong dream of getting drafted. My experience at Auburn was all great and I appreciate everybody there for what they did for me."
Receiver Ryan Davis will join Stidham on the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots after signing as a free agent. Defensive lineman Andrew Williams signed with Jacksonville and linebacker Darrell Williams will join the New Orleans Saints.
"I'm really excited for our guys," Malazahn said. "All of those guys will have very successful NFL careers. The guys who signed as free agents are going to do very well, too. Ryan Davis, I know he'll be very determined. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he plays a long time in the league."
Researcher Scott Scroggins contributed to this report.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer