BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Maurkice Pouncey has his story and he’s sticking to it.
After being accused of accepting $100,000 from a representative of an agent, Maurkice and the Gators have been silent on the issue.
On Wednesday, Florida coach Urban Meyer and the Pouncey brothers used Southeastern Conference media days to finally address the potential NCAA violation.
When Meyer was alerted of the allegation about six weeks ago, he immediately confronted Maurkice, who responded, “that didn’t happen.”
Maurkice’s twin brother, Mike Pouncey, also denied any NCAA violations.
“I talked to my brother and it’s not true,” Mike said.
Maurkice took his claim even further on Wednesday.
“I have completely cooperated with the investigation and answered any and all questions put to me,” he said in a prepared statement. “I did not accept $100,000, it is an absolutely ridiculous claim.”
Even though Maurkice reportedly gave his twin brother a Cadillac Escalade after being selected in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike was never worried about his eligibility for the upcoming season.
He is more concerned about his family’s reputation.
“I feel bad because it ruins somebody’s name because of somebody who really doesn’t know who me and my brother really are,” Mike said. “It’s hard.”
A recent string of potential violations involving agents has arisen this offseason, prompting a quick meeting on the issue between Meyer and Alabama coach Nick Saban, who learned on Wednesday of reports that Crimson Tide defensive end Marcell Dareus has allegedly been declared ineligible after attending a player-agent party in South Beach.
But in reality, Meyer believes there is little a coach could do to prevent these types of incidents.
“You can’t,” he said. “For a coach to figure out who a runner is in a nightclub at 2:30 a.m. – I’ve been asleep for four hours.”
Saban even went on to propose that agents, who affect the eligibility of a player, should have their license revoked for a year.
But that still doesn’t stop an agent’s runner from lurking around campus.
“It’s an epidemic right now, an epidemic that needs to get fixed,” Meyer said.
UF TAKES AWAY HAMMOND’S SCHOLARSHIP
After being arrested on June 13 because of a DUI, wide receiver Frankie Hammond Jr. is receiving even further punishment.
On Wednesday, Meyer said that Hammond, who was expected to compete for playing time at the wide receiver position this season, is currently not on the team and has had his scholarship taken away. He is expected to return to the team, but under different circumstances.
“(Hammond) will have to pay his own way and will have to earn a spot like every other person who would like to be a member of Florida football,” Meyer said. “There will be playing time taken away from him.”
