TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Double Vision: Freshman Twins Shoring Up UF Line

ADVERTISEMENT

By ANDY STAPLES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 27, 2007

Updated: 10/27/2007 12:44 am

JACKSONVILLE - In his first 14 seasons as a college coach, Steve Addazio only encountered two offensive linemen (Jeff Faine at Notre Dame, Adam Hines at Indiana) he considered capable of starting as true freshmen. Addazio, now offensive line coach at the University of Florida, probably wished while coaching each one that he could clone the wunderkind to make his job easier.

But when freshman Maurkice Pouncey emerged as Florida's best right guard this season, Addazio didn't have to worry about cloning Pouncey. He had another player with identical genetic material already on the roster.

Maurkice's identical twin, Mike, has waited not-so-patiently for seven games to play alongside his brother again. The pair dominated at Lakeland High, and they intend to do the same at Florida.

They may get their chance today.

If a heel injury keeps senior Carlton Medder off the field, Mike Pouncey would likely fill in at right tackle when No. 9 Florida faces No. 20 Georgia at 3:30 p.m. at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. But even if Medder plays, Mike Pouncey still will play as an extra tight end in short-yardage situations.

'Mike Pouncey's coming fast,' Addazio said.

While Maurkice cinched his hold on the right guard spot after a shuffle caused by a foot injury to senior Phil Trautwein, Mike could not crack a veteran-heavy lineup. The brothers, who, even when apart, tend to say 'we' when they could say 'I,' took the separation in stride.

'He's my No. 1 fan,' Maurkice said of Mike.

'He tells me my time will come,' Mike said of Maurkice.

While Maurkice developed a chemistry with his fellow first-teamers, Mike learned to snap. Trautwein had been the Gators' second option at center after starter Drew Miller. If Mike could prove himself a capable center, he would move closer to joining his brother on the field.

But Mike didn't stop there. After Maurkice proved himself a future star by handling all-everything LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey on Oct. 6, Mike proved himself useful at another position. Already confident they could use him at center, coaches tried Mike at tackle in practice.

'All five positions as a true freshman. Center, guard and tackle,' Addazio said, shaking his head. 'It's the darndest thing.'

Make it six, Mike said.

'A little bit of tight end, too,' he said.

While Mike couldn't have been happier for his brother, he said he used Maurkice's success as motivation.

'It's just a learning experience,' Mike said. 'He was ready to play and I wasn't. I'm just trying to work to get there.

'It drives me a lot. I want to be out there just as much as he is.'

Meanwhile, Maurkice said his linemates have helped him adjust to playing without Mike by his side.

'It was weird playing without Mike, but the way we've got a bond on the offensive line, it's just like my brother next to me anyway,' Maurkice said. 'We all love each other.'

But as much as he loves his non-Pouncey teammates, Maurkice can't wait for the day he and Mike line up alongside one another. That day might be today.

'They're my brothers,' Maurkice said, 'but not my twin.'

Reporter Andy Staples can be reached at (352) 262-3719 or astaples@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT