Center Mike Degory was a three year starter for Palm Bay high school where he was a first team all-state player and maintained a 3.8 grade point average in the classroom. As a senior in 2000, Palm Bay won the class 6a state championship and Degory was named Most Valuable Player of the championship game. He was considered to be one of the top 10 offensive line prospects coming out of high school and was recruited by Michigan State, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech, but he opted to attend the University of Florida. He was redshirted in 2001 and spent that season on the scout team. In the spring of 2002, Degory earned the starting center job and was named “most improved offensive player”. He started every game that year (10 at center and 2 at guard), was named University of Florida’s “outstanding freshman”, and made the freshman all-SEC and all-American teams. He is one of three offensive linemen in Gator history to start every game as a freshman. Degory was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list for the best center in the nation in each of the next three seasons, was named Florida’s outstanding lineman in 2003 and 2004, and made the SEC academic honor roll in 2004 for his accomplishments in the classroom.

Mike Degory has a ton of experience as a center against top competition, having started for Florida in each of the past four seasons. He is a very smart player who is considered to be a coach on the field and almost always makes the proper line calls. He has a real “mean streak” that you like to see in an offensive lineman and he is a very aggressive run blocker who has the ability to get to the second level as well. He has improved his pass blocking over the past couple years but he can still use some work in that area. He has been inconsistent at times but he always seems to play his best in the biggest games. At 6-6, Degory is taller than your average center which could cause problems in the passing game when it comes to the quarterback being able to see over him. He has proven to be a very durable player during his time at Florida, having not missed a single game in his four year career due to injury. His streak of consecutive games started is the longest of any player in the SEC. He is a team captain and leader both on and off the field, is well known for his high character, and is a two-time member of the SEC “good works” team for his community service. Mike Degory is arguably the best center in the nation and should be one of the top interior offensive linemen available in the 2006 NFL draft.