Mike Pouncey had it all figured out.
The talented Florida offensive lineman would slide over from right guard and replace his twin brother Maurkice at center in 2010, finish the season with a resume littered with various All-American accolades and, like his brother, enjoy the financial bounty that being a first-round NFL draft pick brings.
While that may ultimately be the case, the senior’s intended route may have an early-season detour on it.
Due to injuries on the left side of the line -- expected starter Xavier Nixon and his challenger for the job, Matt Pachan, have both been injured to varying degrees -- right tackle Marcus Gilbert has been forced to move to left tackle. Gilbert’s move necessitated Pouncey moving from the interior of the line to right tackle. While nothing is written in stone just yet, it appears that’s where Pouncey will stay when the Gators take on Miami of Ohio and South Florida to begin the season.
“I might have to play tackle in the first couple of games,” Pouncey told the Gainesville Sun. “We’ll see. We still don’t know.
“It doesn’t matter to me. I feel like I’m a great player wherever I play, and I just want to win. I didn’t expect it. I thought I was going to play center, but I’ll do whatever it takes to help us win games. If it means me having to play tackle, that’s what it’s going to be.”
If Pouncey is forced outside once the regular season begins, redshirt freshman Sam Robey would start at center for the Gators. Pouncey said his understudy “is ready” and will “take full advantage” of the situation if given the opportunity.