Haden and Pouncey earn All-SEC honors

Gainesville, Fla. – University of Florida freshmen offensive guard Maurkice Pouncey (Lakeland, Fla.) and free safety Joe Haden (Fort Washington, Md.) have been named to the 2007 Sporting News SEC All-Freshman Team, the publication announced Wednesday.

Pouncey has appeared in all 12 contests for the Gators in 2007, starting 11 at right guard. He became the first true freshman ever to start in the season opener on the offensive line in the win over Western Kentucky. In his true freshman campaign, he has helped block for an offense that averaged 462.0 yards per game, including 197.7 yards on the ground and a school-record 37 rushing touchdowns.

Haden ranks sixth on the squad and second among freshmen with 57 tackles. He is also third on the team with 37 solo stops and leads the Gators with 10 pass deflections. Haden started in the first 11 games of the season before suffering an ankle injury that kept him out of the regular season finale against Florida State. Haden became the first true freshman to start at cornerback on opening day in UF history, after converting from a high school quarterback and wide receiver last spring. Haden turned in his best performance of the year at Kentucky with a team and career-high 13 tackles, 10 solo, including a pass break-up. He snagged his only interception of the season at LSU, jumping a slant route on the Tigers’ first offensive possession.

Florida finished the 2007 campaign with a 9-3 record and will find out its bowl destination after this weekend’s games.