VIDEO: Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame’s Mike Degory Among Best UF Lineman Ever

By  //  April 8, 2017

Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame

ABOVE VIDEO: As a Florida Gator, Mike Degory would carve a legacy as being considered one of the best UF lineman to ever suit up.

2016 COLLEGE INDUCTEE

Mike Degory
Mike Degory

• First Team All-American
• 50 Consecutive Starts For UF
• Rimington Trophy Finalist

PALM BAY HIGH GRADUATE

It is no coincidence that success follows Mike Degory on the gridiron. High school championships, College All-American and All-SEC honors are just some of the accolades that Palm Bay native Mike Degory can hang his successful football career hat on.

Take for example his current job. Degory is currently the offensive line coach for the Viera Hawks, who last season advanced all the way to the state championship game for the first time in school history.

Being a part of the biggest high school game was nothing new to Degory, who starred for Dan Burke and the Palm Bay Pirates in 2000, winning the Class 6A State Championship.

Considered one of the nation’s elite prep offensive linemen in 2000, Degory was named to Prep Star’s All-American Dream Team and ranked him among the top 15 offensive linemen in the nation, and the top five in the Southeast.

He was selected to Super Prep’s All-American Team, and ranked him among the nation’s top ten offensive linemen. National Bluechips ranked him among the top four center prospects in the nation.

Degory earned MVP of the state’s 6A state championship game in 2000, an almost unheard of achievement for an offensive lineman. The three-time first-team All-Conference pick was also a first-team All-State (6A) selection.

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It is important to note that Degory took his studies as serious as his game. He graduated from Palm Bay with a 3.8 grade point average.

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When the recruiting process took over, Degory chose to stay in state and attended Florida over Michigan State, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech. As a Gator, Mike Degory would carve a legacy as being considered one of the best UF lineman to ever suit up.

In his first year Degory was granted a medical hardship due to left foot surgery in 2001. But in 2002, Degory took over center duties, going on to start 50 consecutive games. He was a member of the Football Writers Association’s Freshman All-American team during his first year with the Gators.

MEMBER OF FIVE GATOR BOWL TEAMS

Degory was an All-American first-team choice by CBS Sports and a finalist for the Rimington Trophy in 2005. Degory was one of five players to serve multiple years as team captain.

The two-time team captain did not allow a quarterback sack or pressure, a feat that helped him gain All-SEC first-team status.

In his final two seasons with the Gators, Degory allowed only 1.5 sacks, a remarkable accomplishment considering that Florida had one of the most explosive passing attacks in the country during his time with the team. He was also a member of five Florida Bowl Teams, including two Orange Bowl appearances.

Aside from leading the offensive line at Viera, Degory married his beautiful wife Lauren in 2009, who is a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Mike and Lauren are the proud parents of two beautiful little girls.

Degory’s football career earned him the right to be inducted into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame, but to know Mike is to know that not only is he a Hall of Fame player but a hall of fame husband, dad, coach and mentor.

THE 2018 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 11.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT the 2018 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME, call 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com

CLICK HERE to see all the members of the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame.

As a Florida Gator, Mike Degory would carve a legacy as being considered one of the best UF lineman to ever suit up.
As a Florida Gator, Mike Degory would carve a legacy as being considered one of the best UF lineman to ever suit up.