Diego Pounds

Early life

Pounds was born on December 12, 2002, in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised by his mother. He moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, when he was eight, and grew up playing basketball. He attended Millbrook High School where he initially was only going to play basketball, but joined the football team as his brother was a member of the squad. Pounds played junior varsity football from 2017 to 2018 as a defensive lineman before joining the varsity team near the end of his sophomore year. As a junior, Pounds became an offensive lineman. He helped the team reach the NCHSAA 4AA state playoffs that season, but did not play his senior year as it was postponed to 2021 and he graduated early. A three-star recruit, Pounds committed to play college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

College career

Pounds redshirted as a true freshman at North Carolina in 2021, then appeared in five games as a backup in 2022. In 2023, he served as the team's starting left tackle. He started eight of 13 games for the Tar Heels in 2023. Pounds entered the NCAA transfer portal following the season and transferred to the Ole Miss Rebels in 2024. He started nine of 13 games during the 2024 season. As a senior in 2025, he started 15 games at left tackle, earning third-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honors. Finishing his collegiate career with 46 games played, 32 as a starter, he was invited to the 2026 East–West Shrine Bowl.