68 days to Gator football! #68 Mike Degory

[Escambia94]

#68 Mike Degory of Palm Bay, FL, started all 50 games he played for Ron Zook and Urban Meyer during his career from 2001-2005--tying a record set by Larry Kennedy (1991-1995). He anchored the offensive line during the last 2 seasons in which the Gators had a 1,000 yard rusher (2002, 2004). He was named to the 2002 Freshman All-American team, 2005 AP and Coaches’ First Team All-SEC team and 2005 First Team All-American team by CBS. He was a two-time team captain, three-time Rimington Trophy candidate, and member of five major bowl teams. He received his bachelor's degree in physical education teaching with a minor in business in 2006. He is currently an assistant coach for the Viera Hawks High School football team in Viera, Florida.

 

[Leakfan12]

Sad that the team got good after he graduated.

 

[Escambia94]

Sad that the team got good after he graduated.

On the bright side, the offensive line was pretty good in 2006, and by 2007-2009 it was one of the best offensive lines in the nation. Steve Rissler and Eddie Haupt rotated at center after Mike Degory graduated, and from 2007-2009 we had a Pouncey at center. Note that in 2009 and 2010, the Gators had a Pouncey at center, but they did not have John Hevesy as assistant offensive line coach and the offensive line began its descent into mediocrity. With Hevesy now the head offensive line coach, the Gators improved from being a bottom-20 offensive line to a top-20 offensive line, and his old team at Mississippi State dropped from being a top-20 offensive line to a middle-of-the-pack offensive line with mostly the same players.

In summary, Mike Degory was a good offensive lineman, and was a good example for the players to follow. It helped that he had good coaches, and we as fans are fortunate to have some of those coaches back on campus now a few years wiser.