National Football League

MyCole Pruitt's versatility can translate seamlessly into the NFL

Published Apr. 21, 2015 11:35 a.m. ET

Ross Jones

Versatility is the name of the game for former Southern Illinois tight end MyCole Pruitt.

Line him up as an inline blocker, Pruitt's 6-foot-2, 251-pound squarely built frame is conditioned to put defenders in the dirt. Split Pruitt in the slot or out wide, then he can box a defender out and go up and win highly contested catches.

During Pruitt's four-year career in Carbondale, Ill., he was twice named a first-team All-American. Last season, Pruitt posted a school-record 81 receptions, finishing with 861 yards and 13 touchdowns.

"That's probably the main part about my game is versatility," Pruitt said. "I can line up anywhere on the field and make an impact. I've been working a lot on my blocking and I think I'm going to be a lot better when I take the next step to the league."

As comparisons get thrown around this time of year, Pruitt says he tries to pattern his game after Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay. Clay, who inked a five-year, $38 million contract recently, also came from a small school at Tulsa.

"Versatility is a main part of Charles Clay's game," Pruitt said. "He lines up everywhere on the field these past couple years and he has made an impact in each one of those spots. That's one of the things I take from his game and I try to implement it into mine."

Leading all Division I tight ends in receptions, yards and touchdowns this past year, Pruitt was the primary focus of the opposing team's game plan. Going up against Purdue last season, Pruitt hauled in 10 receptions for 136 yards.

To prove he could hang with the best in this year's class, he displayed his athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Posting the fastest time in the 40-yard dash (4.58) and longest vertical jump for any tight end in Indianapolis, Pruitt also finished among the top performers in the 20-yard shuttle, 60-yard shuttle and broad jump.

"My performance did a lot to help me," Pruitt said. "It showed that I'm athletic and that I can compete at the next level. It proved I didn't just dominate the smaller talent and that it won't translate over. It was on the big stage and there was a lot of pressure. That's one thing you have to do in the NFL is perform under pressure."

One of Pruitt's strongest assets is his soft hands and ability to position his body. That talent stems from a deeply rooted basketball background he had growing up. Other notable tight ends who have had decorated careers on the hardwood include future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, San Diego Chargers' Antonio Gates, Seattle Seahawks' Jimmy Graham and Jacksonville Jaguars' Julius Thomas.

"Basketball was my first love," Pruitt said. "I always played it when I was a little kid and I was always one of the bigger guys. Just being able to box out and go up for rebounds really helps me when it comes to the game of football. I can box out the linebackers and position my body so the quarterback knows where to throw the ball. I can catch the ball in tight spaces. When it comes to me going up against smaller defensive backs, it helps me going up on top of them."

Projected as an early to mid-round pick, Pruitt is humbled by the opportunity to play at the next level.

"Coming from where I come from in St. Louis, kind of a bad area, I never thought something like this would come along," Pruitt said. "I'm ready to take advantage of the opportunity."