It’s been an incredible senior season for Winter Park athlete Ayden Pouncey, and he’s been coming on at just the right time as Winter Park tries to position itself to make a run in the Class 7A state playoffs.
With his recent production, Pouncey has been impressive enough to move into the No. 1 position in the Sentinel’s 2026 Central Florida Super60 recruiting rankings.
“I definitely feel like I deserve it, but I’m just blessed to be in this situation,” Pouncey said.
Sentinel’s 2026 Central Florida Super60 football prospects
Winter Park coaches know that winning means getting the ball in Pouncey’s hands, and the Notre Dame commit has been all over the football field. The safety/receiver leads the team in receptions, return yardage, interceptions, and touchdowns and he’s fourth in tackles.
His most impressive feat this season has been on defense, where he has picked off six passes, and returned five of them for touchdowns. He also has 30 catches for 634 yards and seven touchdowns and he leads the team in total yardage with 1,018. He has scored 15 touchdowns, 2 on kickoff and punt returns, and his total kick return yardage is 288 yards.
Pouncey, who will likely play safety at Notre Dame, likes being involved in the offense, as well.
“They’ve asked me to step up on offense so I’ve been doing that,” Pouncey said. “It’s major for me. I’ve been a Winter Park kid my whole life and my brother, he had a similar senior season, so I’m kinda just chasing him and trying to do better than him.”
Pouncey is one in a line of successful Pouncey brothers at Winter Park. Oldest brother Jordan Pouncey, who played at Texas and Florida, currently plays professionally in Germany. Jordan was ranked No. 5 in the Sentinel 2017 Super60. Brother Ethan also played at UF and Georgia Southern. Ethan was injured his senior season at Winter Park and did not play. Youngest brother Nova Pouncey said he does not like football, so the family football tree stops with Ayden.
Winter Park senior safety Ayden Pouncey is the top returning player for the Wildcats this season. He is committed to Notre Dame. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)
Pouncey said he always keeps one thing in mind.
“Really, my goal every time I touch the ball is to score, so every time I catch a pick, my goal is to get to the end zone,” Pouncey said. “It’s been really exciting and a lot of times it helps my team get in position to win, and that’s all I’m trying to do.
“I’m just trying to do what I can … and help get this playoff run going.”
The Wildcats are currently 5-4, but have been paying better of late. They are currently No. 5 in Class 7A, Region 1 rankings by the FHSAA. If the rankings remain the same next week, Winter Park will have a first-round playoff game on the road at Lake Mary (6-3).
The move to No. 1 by Pouncey, displaces former top player Dereon Coleman, who has done nothing to slip in the rankings, it’s just that Pouncey has poured it on. Coleman has led Jones to a 7-2 record and the Tigers are ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, Region 2. Coleman, who is committed to Miami, has thrown for 1,525 yards and 16 touchdowns on 112-of-147 passing (76.2%).
Rounding out the Top 5 are Evans running back Li’Darious Pryor, who is uncommitted, Tavares linebacker Izayia Williams, an FSU commit, and Jones receiver Larry Miles, who is headed to Nebraska.
Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.
