Maurkice Pouncey, C

Pouncey started 39-of-41 games in which he appeared at Florida, providing excellent pass protection while using his explosion off the snap to regularly attack second-level defenders. His consistency and dominance at the line of scrimmage helped him become the first player in school history to capture the Rimington Trophy, given annually to the nation's best center.

One of the toughest offensive linemen in the collegiate game, it was fitting that he recorded one of his best blocking efforts in his final appearance for the Gators, despite being in obvious pain. Prior to the 2010 Sugar Bowl, Pouncey spent five-plus hours at a local hospital because of kidney stones. He received a CT scan which showed no kidney obstruction, got some IV fluid and suited up. He would hold the Cincinnati defensive line to no tackles, record seven knockdowns that included two touchdown-resulting blocks and graded 94 percent for blocking consistency.

At Lakeland High, Pouncey was rated among the nation's top offensive guard recruits according to Scout.com (15th) and Rivals.com (15th). He was one of 16 offensive linemen named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 squad. He was also a two-time All-State selection.

As a senior, he and his twin brother, Mike, helped lead Lakeland to its 45th consecutive victory, third-consecutive Class 5A state championship and second-straight USA Today national championship in 2006. They were part of an offensive line that blocked for a 4,000-yard rushing team that season.

Pouncey enrolled at Florida in 2006, spurning scholarship offers from Florida State, Clemson, Miami and Michigan. He started 11 of 13 games at right offensive guard, becoming the seventh true freshman in school history to start a season opener for the Gators.

He also saw playing time at his eventual position, center, earning Game Champion honors in the Louisiana State clash. He was named Freshman All-American first-team by College Football News and Rivals.com and was a member of the Freshman All-Southeastern Conference squads selected by the league's coaches and Associated Press. He graded no lower than 83% for blocking consistency in any of his eleven starting assignments.

Pouncey was a Sophomore All-American choice by College Football News in 2008. The Associated Press All-SEC honorable mention twice earned league Lineman of the Week honors (vs. Arkansas and LSU), as he graded at least 90 percent for blocking consistency in six contests. Despite performing early in the season with lingering effects from a fall camp ankle sprain, he would start all 14 contests at center.

In May 2009, Pouncey underwent shoulder surgery to repair a labrum issue that would prevent him from participating in off-season training for three months. He was fully recovered by the season opener, receiving the highest blocking consistency grade for any major college interior lineman (91.57%). He earned All-American and All-SEC first-team honors, as he did not allow any quarterback sacks or pressures while participating in 919 offensive snaps.

Unlike his brother, Mike, Pouncey decided that it was time to test his wares in the National Football League. A week after the Sugar Bowl, the center announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the 2010 NFL Draft.

Pass blocking: Adept at the shotgun snap. Good quickness and accuracy in firing the snap back and catching the defensive tackle. Stout at the point of attack. Quick, accurate hand placement and impressive strength to handle the bull rush. Big and strong enough to handle the nose guard one on one. Good lateral agility and balance to handle quicker defensive tackles. Keeps his head on a swivel and looks to help his teammates.

Run blocking: Rare combination of size, leverage and power as a drive blocker. Stays low and gets under the pads of his opponent to move him off the line of scrimmage. Very good combination blocker; capable of helping out the guard initially on the double-team and releasing to get to the second level. Good quickness, balance for the trap block. Plays with some nastiness. Looks to pancake his opponent when he feels he's off-balance. Good effort to sustain. Finishes the block.

Pulling/trapping: Not often asked to pull from the center position in this offense, but was asked to do this some as a freshman at right guard. Quick out of his stance and has the straight-line speed and balance to get out in front of the back. Good recognition to find his target and has the body control to adjust to the smaller opponent. Can be a punishing trap blocker. Good quickness and explodes into his opponent to knock him out of the play.

Initial Quickness: One of his best traits. Capable of making the accurate snap and still get his hands up quickly to catch the defensive tackle without losing much ground. Explosiveness as a trap blocker is impressive.

Downfield: Good, not great, speed to get to the second level. Good balance and agility to hit the moving target. Hustles downfield and looks for someone to hit.

Intangibles: Intelligent. Made all the line calls for Gators. Showed his toughness by starting in the 2009-10 Sugar Bowl only hours after receiving four bags of IV fluids and being treated for kidney stones. Underwent a CT scan that showed no obstruction in his kidneys and was cleared to play. Identical twin, Mike, plays right guard for the Gators and elected to return for his senior season.

Pouncey started 39-of-41 games at Florida, including eleven starting assignments at right offensive guard and 28 at center … As a center, Pouncey registered 234 knockdowns/key blocks that included 36 touchdown-resulting blocks and 11 downfield blocks … Over the course of his last 1,793 offensive snaps, he allowed just one quarterback sack and was penalized only twice.

All-American first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report, Football Writers Association and Walter Camp, adding second-team honors from the Associated Press … Became the first Gator to ever receive the Rimington Trophy, given annually to the best center in college football … Unanimous All-Southeastern Conference first-team choice … Started all 14 games at center, despite missing most of the offseason due to May shoulder (labrum) surgery … Led the nation's interior linemen with a 91.57% grade for blocking consistency, producing 119 key blocks/knockdowns that included 20 touchdown-resulting blocks and seven more blocks down field … Did not allow a quarterback sack or pressure, nor was he penalized on any of the team's 919 offensive snaps … Provided huge holes for a running attack that ranked 10th in the nation, averaging 221.79 yards per game … His superb protection of the pocket allowed Florida to finish second in the conference in pass offense, averaging 236.07 yards per game operating out of the spread formation … Also recorded a tackle after a Florida turnover (fumble) vs. Tennessee … Named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week vs. Tennessee and Louisiana State (entire front wall awarded vs. LSU) … Graded at least 90% for blocking consistency in 11 contests and registered at least one touchdown-resulting block in all but the Alabama game.

All-Southeastern Conference first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report in Pouncey's first season as the Gators' center … College Football News Sophomore All-American pick …

Started all fourteen games, grading 90% or higher for blocking consistency in six contests, including South Carolina (90), Tennessee (93), Arkansas (94), Vanderbilt (95), LSU (97) and Kentucky (98) … Was named the SEC's Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance vs. Arkansas and was one of five UF Offensive Players of the Week after the front wall's dominance of the Tigers in the Louisiana State clash … Led the Gators with 115 knockdowns/key blocks, as he collected 16 touchdown-resulting blocks … Allowed just one quarterback sack on 329 pass plays, helping Florida lead the conference and rank 15th nationally with an average of 445.07 yards of total offense per game … Recovered a fumble in the Mississippi clash and recorded a solo tackle vs. Vanderbilt.

Named Freshman All-American first-team by College Football News and Rivals.com and was a member of the Freshman All-Southeastern Conference squads selected by the league's coaches and Associated Press … Played in thirteen games, starting 11 contests at right offensive guard, as he came off the bench vs. Mississippi and Florida Atlantic … Also saw some action at center … Graded no lower than 83 percent for blocking consistency in any of his 11 starting assignments … Became the seventh true freshman in school history to start a season opener for the Gators.

2008: Limited in August camp by a high ankle sprain (8/28).

2009: Underwent shoulder surgery (labrum) in May, missing three months of offseason conditioning drills.

Campus: 5.22 in the 40-yard dash … 1.76 10-yard dash … 2.96 20-yard dash … 4.78 20-yard shuttle … 7.78 three-cone drill … 29-inch vertical jump … 420-pound bench press … 530-pound squat.

Attended Lakeland (Fla.) High School, playing football for head coach Bill Castle … Rated among the nation's top offensive guard recruits according to Scout.com (15th) and Rivals.com (15th) … One of sixteen offensive linemen named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 squad … Also a two-time All-State selection … As a senior, he and his twin brother, Mike, helped lead Lakeland to its 45th consecutive victory, third-consecutive Class 5A state championship and second-straight USA Today national championship in 2006 … They were part of an offensive line that blocked for a 4,000-yard rushing team that season … Graduated with a 3.0 grade point average.

Social & Behavioral Sciences major … Twin brother, Michael, was a teammate and fellow offensive lineman at Lakeland High School and the University of Florida … Son of Lisa and Rob Webster … Born LaShawn Maurkice Pouncey ion 7/24/89 … Resides in Lakeland, Florida.