Mike Pouncey ready to fly solo without twin

Associated Press

GAINESVILLE, Fla.

Even at 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, Florida’s Mike Pouncey never really stood out.

He always shared the spotlight with his twin brother, Maurkice. They played on the same teams, played the same positions, roomed together, hung out together, took classes together and even dated the same girl once.

They have been mostly inseparable — until now.

Mike Pouncey enters this season alone, far away from his brother who left school early for the NFL. Being on his own might not be the toughest challenge facing Pouncey this fall.

Pouncey is taking over his brother’s position on the offensive line and Tim Tebow’s leadership role. The Gators are counting on him to nail down both.

“I knew when I decided to come back to school that I was going to have to take on that role,” Pouncey said. “I just accepted it and I’m taking it on with a full head of steam.”

He’s enjoying it, too.

“Who wouldn’t? Leader of the team, everybody follows me and I’m going to lead this team to victory,” he said.

Pouncey has played in 39 games over three seasons, seeing plenty of action as a freshman and then becoming the team’s starting right guard the last two years. But his best position might be center, the spot his brother held the last two years.