Mike Pouncey

James Michael Pouncey (born July 24, 1989) is an American football center for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Florida, was a member of a BCS National Championship team, and earned All-American honors. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Early years
Pouncey was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma. He attended Lakeland High School in Lakeland, Florida, where he was a standout lineman for the Lakeland Dreadnaughts high school football team. As a senior in 2006, he helped lead Lakeland High to its third consecutive Florida Class 5A state championship and second straight USA Today national championship.

College career
Pouncey accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Urban Meyer's Florida Gators football team from 2007 to 2010. As a freshman in 2007, he started the season as an offensive lineman but had to move to the defensive line as replacement when several defensive starters were injured.

Pouncey started four of thirteen games as a freshman, recording eight tackles and an interception. As a sophomore in 2008, he moved back to the offensive line and started all fourteen of the Gators' games at right guard, including the Gators' 24–14 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game.

After his junior season in 2009, Pouncey was named an Associated Press honorable mention All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection and a Pro Football Weekly first-team All-American. As a senior team captain in 2010, he moved from guard to center for the Gators, replacing his twin brother Maurkice Pouncey at center, after Maurkice entered the 2010 NFL Draft following his junior year.

Professional career
Pouncey graded out as the top center and guard prospects in the 2011 NFL Draft. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the first round with the 15th pick overall, and started all sixteen regular season games of his rookie season.

Personal
Pouncey's identical twin brother Maurkice Pouncey was selected 18th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2010 NFL Draft. He is one minute older than Maurkice. Pouncey has a daughter, Janiyah, who was born in 2008.