In the days leading up to North Dakota State's national championship game victory over James Madison, much of the conversation revolved around whether or not Trey Lance would eventually test the transfer market.

After all, it was Lance who became the first freshman to win the Walter Payton Award on the eve of that contest in Frisco, Texas.

Less than three months later, there has, indeed, been a defection from the Bison, but it's not Lance, it is two-time FCS All-American linebacker Jabril Cox.

Here we Geaux!!?? pic.twitter.com/p2Q47VW8d6

— Jabril Cox (@_Brillo) April 2, 2020

Cox is a graduate transfer and will be eligible to play for the Tigers immediately, strengthening a defense that will be looking to replace Patrick Queen — a three-down linebacker who is expected to taken in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft after leaving Baton Rouge a year early.

The 6-foot-3, 229-pound Cox racked up 92 tackles and 5.5 sacks last season, helping to lead NDSU to its third consecutive national title.