Florida Gators Bid Farewell to Seasoned Defensive Player!
The Florida Gators have confirmed another departure, this time from their defensive back ranks.
Cornerback Ethan Pouncey has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, marking the end of his five-year stint with the Gators, as reported by 247Sports’ Jacob Rudner.
Originally hailing as a four-star recruit from Winter Park (Fla.) High School in 2020, Pouncey’s contributions on the field remained limited during his tenure at Gainesville. His debut season in 2020 saw him sidelined, earning a redshirt due to the NCAA’s provision of an extra year of eligibility amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his redshirt freshman year in 2021, Pouncey saw a slight increase in playing time, making appearances in 11 out of 13 games, yet his impact remained modest with only four tackles to his name, largely serving as a backup.
However, his role gradually diminished in 2022, making only three appearances due to injuries and the emergence of younger talents within the team. Despite managing two tackles during this period, he was granted another redshirt. Sadly, in the last season, Pouncey failed to secure a single appearance, signaling the decline of his involvement with the team.
Interestingly, Pouncey’s older brother, Jordan, also joined the Gators as a transfer wide receiver from Texas in the same recruitment class. Jordan concluded his journey with the team after the 2022 season. Notably, the Pouncey brothers are second cousins to UF icons Maurkice and Mike Pouncey.
Pouncey’s departure follows linebacker Mannie Nunnery’s exit, marking another loss for the Gators post-spring.
In light of the reclassification of offensive lineman Enoch Wangoy to the 2024 class, the Florida team found themselves exceeding the 85-man scholarship limit. Pouncey’s impending transfer resolves this, bringing the Gators back to compliance with NCAA regulations.
However, should Florida wish to make further roster moves during the ongoing spring portal period, they’ll need to secure at least one more departure to maintain their roster within the stipulated limits.
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