ASU Football: Chans Cox retires due to injuries

Arizona State's depth on defense took a hit in March when it was reported that redshirt junior linebacker Chans Cox suffered a ruptured Achilles. On Monday, Cox chose to retire due to injuries, according to several reports.

Per @DevilsDigest, Blue Ridge standout Chans Cox to medically retire from football at ASU. Has graduated, will remain as student assistant.

— AZ Varsity- Football (@AZHSFB) July 18, 2016

Per ASU, Chans Cox has retired due to injuries, latest of which was Achilles rupture in March. Cox graduated, will serve as student coach.

— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) July 19, 2016

While at Blue Ridge High School in Northern Arizona, Cox's team went 40-2 in three seasons and won the state title in 2011. One of the most highly recruited players in Arizona and in the country, Cox received offers from the likes of Notre Dame and Oklahoma.

However, head coach Todd Graham's stamp on the program caught the Blue Ridge prospect, and he committed to the Sun Devils in 2012.

Cox enrolled early to participate in spring practice, but injuries forced him to redshirt during his freshman season.

As a redshirt freshman, Cox struggled to break into the two-deep rotation as his career progressed. At 6-foot-3, 244 pounds, Cox was moved all over the place on defense and occasionally saw reps at tight end. However, his most valuable position seemed to be at Devil backer.

Cox will still be around the program, though, and serve as a student assistant.