The Man In A Cowboy Hat: Jordan Pouncey Created Valuable Role With Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Ladies and gentlemen, he came around too late to be The Most Interesting Man in the World for Dos Equis, but he has earned the title of Most Interesting Man on the Gators.

Meet Jordan Pouncey, Florida’s unsung hero and Renaissance man in shoulder pads.

Pouncey is best known as the guy who wears No. 86, the seldom-used receiver you’re used to seeing fire up the team on Saturdays. There he is, running around the field carrying the huge Gators flag. Look, that’s him over there, standing on the bench urging fans to roar. Hey, now he’s at the front of the pack as the Gators sing the alma mater.

Pouncey’s profile is large for someone with one catch on the season.

“I love Pouncey, man,” said Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr., who has known his older teammate since the two arrived together at UF in January 2020. “He’s team. That’s the kind of guy we need on the team. He builds you up.”

The 23-year-old Pouncey, who turns 24 next month, is a sixth-year senior set to play his final home game on Saturday. He mostly plays on special teams. His career highlight at Florida came in the 2020 Cotton Bowl when he caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Anthony Richardson, the first scoring pass of Richardson’s career.

But to limit Pouncey’s contributions to a single play would be a grave injustice.

He is so much more. Ask those in the locker room or the head coach, and they will tell you he is a vital member of the team.

“Jordan’s got an opinion. He’s mature, he’s confident and he understands the game,” Billy Napier said. “He understands what’s required to have a good team. He’s kind of embraced his role. He’s a special-teams core player, and he’s really got a leadership presence on the team. Other players respect him. I think he is whom he says he is. He’s very consistent. He’s been a joy to work with and be around.

“I can’t say enough about the guy.”

If you get to know Pouncey, there is a lot to talk about.

First, he is a rare breed in a land of transplants. He is a Florida native, born and raised in the Orlando area, and a lover of all-things Sunshine State, from the pristine beaches to the garish highway billboards.

Like his teammates, Pouncey was once a hot-shot recruit out of Winter Park High. He was Class 8A All-State his senior season, drawing interest from the top programs around the country. He committed to Notre Dame, signed with Texas, and…