By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Friday, April 22, 2011
When Mike Pouncey decided to return to Florida for his senior season, his primary goals were to earn his degree and improve enough to become an NFL first round draft pick.
He's got the degree. Pouncey hopes to fulfill the other dream when the NFL draft is held on Thursday night.
"I know a lot of people wondered why I decided to come back, but I knew it was the right decision for me," Pouncey said. "I think overall I had a great season and I think it has paid off for me in the end."
Pouncey is following in the footsteps of his twin brother Maurkice, the 18th pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. At 6 feet 5, 303 pounds, Mike Pouncey is considered the top interior offensive line prospect in the 2011 class, by most NFL experts. But where he'll end up will likely depend on whether teams consider him a center or guard at the next level.
In his latest NFL mock draft, ESPN.com's Mel Kiper has Pouncey as a No. 19 selection by the New York Giants. Todd McShay, the ESPN.com director of scouting, believes Pouncey could surprise a few people and be taken by the Dolphins at No. 15.
"He can play guard or center, gets to the second level very well and should help the Giants in the running game," Kiper said. "I'd slot him in at guard to start and only look for help at center in a backup role, but he's easily the top interior lineman in the draft."
Both agree that Mike Pouncey is not his brother.
"The problem with Pouncey is that he's compared to his brother and he's on a different level," McShay said.
"He's not Maurkice, and I think that's the most important thing to realize with the brothers," Kiper said.
The inevitable comparisons have been coming since the two began playing youth football as small children, so Mike Pouncey is used to it by now. He jokes that he has to be picked higher than his brother — whom he calls his best friend — or "I'll never hear the end of it."
Still, over the past several months, the idea of getting another version of Maurkice Pouncey has become more appealing to NFL teams.
"You definitely take that into consideration because obviously they're very similar," Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Gene Smith said during UF's Pro Day last month. "Both guys could play center or guard, and versatility equals value."
Pouncey, a Lakeland native, said he would love the opportunity to play for his "hometown team" the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and relishes even more the chance to rejoin his brother. But because the Steelers don't pick until No. 31, he doesn't expect that reunion to occur.
"I'm not going to last that long," he said confidently. "It would be nice, but I honestly believe I'll be gone before that."
Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com. Follow her coverage at gators.tampabay.com.