Latest news with #JamaalPritchett
New York Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Undersized Jamaal Pritchett ready to ‘showcase' his skills as he fights to make Jets' roster
Take flight with the Jets Text with Brian Costello all season as he brings Sports+ subscribers the latest Jets intel from on the field and off. tRY IT NOW GREEN BAY — Jamaal Pritchett planned on taking a moment on Saturday night to soak it all in: Lambeau Field; playing in an NFL game, albeit a preseason one; wearing a Jets uniform. The 22-year-old wide receiver from a tiny Western Alabama town knew he would take a second to look around before the Jets faced the Packers. 'It's what everybody dreams of,' Pritchett said a few days before the game. 'I'm ready to compete. I gotta take it in and thank God.' 3 Jets wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett (36) makes a catch during practice at training camp in Florham Park, NJ. Bill Kostroun/New York Post Pritchett is one of the Jets who can benefit the most from a strong showing in the preseason. The Jets signed him as an undrafted free agent out of South Alabama. At 5-foot-8, he's heard he's undersized his whole life. Now, he's just hearing it about his NFL prospects. But Pritchett has had a strong showing in OTAs and early in training camp. He is fast and shifty and can break tackles. Next, the Jets needed to see him do it against NFL opponents. 'Just to showcase my talent,' Pritchett said about what he hopes to get out of these preseason games, 'and show the coaches I can go out and make plays and they can trust me and just have fun, enjoy the process. I'm playing the game I've loved since I was young, so just going out there and having fun and making plays.' For Pritchett, a big punt return could be the difference between a spot on the 53-man roster and the practice squad. He returned one punt for a touchdown as a senior last year, and it could be his ticket to making the Jets. 3 Jets wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett (36) makes a catch during practice at training camp in Florham Park, NJ. Bill Kostroun/New York Post 'Smaller guy that has a lot of fight to him,' Jets coach Aaron Glenn said of Pritchett. 'I think you guys might've seen him out there; when he's blocking, he's not running away from nobody. You watch his ability to catch punts because the speed that he has, his ability to hit it north-and-south has shown up quite a bit. So, I'm looking forward to seeing him not just on the receiving end but catching punts also.' Pritchett is a longshot to make the Jets, but defying the odds is what he's used to. He grew up in Jackson, a town of just under 5,000 people. He had very little interest from college recruiters. 'They said I was small, undersized, so I wasn't heavily recruited,' he said. Get the insider's view on Gang Green Sign up for Inside the Jets by Brian Costello, a weekly Sports+ exclusive. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Tuskegee University, a Division II school, recruited Pritchett late, and he went there. After one season, he decided he wanted to try to play at a Division I school and walked on at South Alabama. 'I felt like I could play at a bigger level, so I decided to walk on to South,' Pritchett said. 'The rest is history. I went in and proved myself every day and earned a scholarship after my first year. I've been going ever since then.' Last season, Pritchett had 91 catches for 1,127 yards and nine touchdowns. He was invited to the Senior Bowl, which is held on the campus of South Alabama, but not the NFL scouting combine. Pritchett won some teams over at his pro day when he ran a 4.42 40-yard dash. He met with the Jets before his pro day but did not take a top-30 visit there. He visited the Commanders and Titans. 3 Wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett of the South Alabama Jaguars during their game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Hancock Whitney Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Mobile, Alabama. Getty Images As the draft ended and he did not hear his name called, he and his agent went over his options, and they opted to sign with the Jets. Pritchett is fighting for a roster spot at a position that is tough to call. Garrett Wilson, Josh Reynolds and Arian Smith are locks to make the roster. Then, you have veterans Allen Lazard and Tyler Johnson who are experienced receivers but don't play special teams. Pritchett is fighting with Xavier Gipson, Brandon Smith, Malachi Corley and Quentin Skinner for one of the final roster spots. 'I try to put it to the side but in the back of your head that I've got to do stuff to make the team,' Pritchett said. 'I try to put it aside and enjoy the process and just come out here and be consistent and stack days. Whatever happens, happens. It will take care of itself. I just know that I put my best foot forward each and every day to make the team.'
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Undrafted New York Jets Rookie Continues to Shine at OTAs With 'Splashy Plays'
Undrafted New York Jets Rookie Continues to Shine at OTAs With 'Splashy Plays' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New York Jets drafted seven players in the 2025 NFL Draft, but an undrafted rookie is making waves in OTAs. A panel of Jets reporters were recently asked which Jet has stood out during voluntary OTAs, and the press had high praise for Jamaal Pritchett. Advertisement 'Undrafted free agent WR Jamaal Pritchett has made a few splash plays in the three open practices and has been in the rotation at punt returner,' Jets team reporter Ethan Greenberg said. Pritchett spent his entire three year college career at South Alabama, primarily as a wide receiver. Pritchett led the Sun Belt in 2024 in both receptions (91) and receiving yards (1,127). Pritchett also scored nine touchdowns in the receiving game. Pritchett also has special teams experience, where he has truly shined in OTAs. In 2024, Pritchett returned 12 punts for 183 yards, including one touchdown. ESPN's Rich Cimini also had high praise for the undrafted rookie, calling him an "early sleeper" to keep an eye on. Advertisement 'A rookie to watch is punt returner Jamaal Pritchett, an undrafted free agent from South Alabama. He's 'doing a phenomenal job,' according to special teams coordinator Chris Banjo,' Cimini revealed in a column. 'Pritchett is 5-8, 175 pounds, but he has 4.42-second speed in the 40-yard dash. He scored once last season on a punt return. Incumbent Xavier Gipson is the favorite to win the job, but expect the rookie to push him,' Cimini added. Pritchett's best shot at earning a roster spot is on special teams, and it's Gipson's job he'll be after. Gipson, a former undrafted free agent himself, made the Jets' roster two years ago due to his special teams prowess. Pritchett will be looking to make a similar impact, with even more physical tools. 'I told those guys, it really doesn't matter where you're from, even what you did,' head coach Aaron Glenn explained via Jets senior contributor Randy Lange. 'The thing is, they all have done a great job to get in the building. And once you get in the building, you have a shot.' Advertisement Glenn isn't the only Jets coach to take notice of Pritchett. Special teams' coordinator Chris Banjo spoke about Pritchett during OTAs last week. "We brought in a young guy in Pritchett, he has been doing a phenomenal job back there [returning kicks] for us,' said Banjo. Related: Jets Signing Justin Fields Labeled Top-5 Move This Offseason Related: Does Breece Hall Have a Future With the Jets? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Washington Commanders work out PFF's highest graded wide receiver draft prospect
The Commanders continue to do their homework when scouting talent for the 2025 NFL draft and recently identified a productive under-the-radar wide receiver prospect. South Alabama wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett tells me that he worked out for the Washington Commanders in Alabama on Monday morning. Advertisement Pritchett has made the most of his draft process this offseason as he represented the home team at the Senior Bowl against the top prospects in the NFL draft. After being snubbed from an invite to the NFL Combine, Jamaal would go on to blow scouts away at South Alabama's pro day with a 4.39-4.42 40-yard dash, and a 9-foot-9 broad jump. The productive wide receiver prospect finished the 2024 season with an 88.2 PFF grade against zone coverage, the highest among all wide receivers in the 2025 NFL draft. Prichett had 91 catches in 2024, the third-most in the country. The former Jaguar also led the nation in yards after catch, with 759 of his 1,126 yards coming after the ball was in his hands, making him an open-field weapon. Jamaal Pritchett was one of only five wide receivers in FBS to average 3+ yards per route run and 7.5+ yards after catch per reception in 2024, with 3.46 yards per route run and 8.3 yards after the catch. Washington could use Pritchett as an explosive play-maker in the slot position, but also fill another need on the team. Jamaal Pritchett also added punt returner to his resume in his final season at South Alabama with 12 returns for 183 yards at a 15.3 yards per return average, and added a touchdown. Washington doesn't have a clear special-teams returner on the roster right now, and can certainly add Pritchett to the mix of options if they draft him in April, in addition to his instant impact on offense. Adam Peters excels at finding gems in the draft, and Jamaal Pritchett could be a big target for the Commanders in the draft. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders work out South Alabama WR Jamaal Pritchett
USA Today
08-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Washington Commanders work out PFF's highest graded wide receiver draft prospect
Washington Commanders work out PFF's highest graded wide receiver draft prospect Senior Bowl scouts live at @SouthAlabamaFB Pro Day! Jamaal Pritchett just turned heads with his 40, clocking an impressive 4.41. Some scouts had a 4.39… We see you @jamaalpritchett 🐆#thedraftstartsinMobile — Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) March 25, 2025 The Commanders continue to do their homework when scouting talent for the 2025 NFL draft and recently identified a productive under-the-radar wide receiver prospect. South Alabama wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett tells me that he worked out for the Washington Commanders in Alabama on Monday morning. Pritchett has made the most of his draft process this offseason as he represented the home team at the Senior Bowl against the top prospects in the NFL draft. After being snubbed from an invite to the NFL Combine, Jamaal would go on to blow scouts away at South Alabama's pro day with a 4.39-4.42 40-yard dash, and a 9-foot-9 broad jump. The productive wide receiver prospect finished the 2024 season with an 88.2 PFF grade against zone coverage, the highest among all wide receivers in the 2025 NFL draft. Prichett had 91 catches in 2024, the third-most in the country. The former Jaguar also led the nation in yards after catch, with 759 of his 1,126 yards coming after the ball was in his hands, making him an open-field weapon. Jamaal Pritchett was one of only five wide receivers in FBS to average 3+ yards per route run and 7.5+ yards after catch per reception in 2024, with 3.46 yards per route run and 8.3 yards after the catch. Washington could use Pritchett as an explosive play-maker in the slot position, but also fill another need on the team. South Alabama WR Jamaal Pritchett turned 50% of his catches into a gain of 20 yards or more in Week 1 🔥 The 5'8', 175lbs pass catcher boasts reliable hands and the speed and agility to give defenses trouble all year 💪 — Oliver Hodgkinson (@ojhodgkinson) September 4, 2024 Jamaal Pritchett also added punt returner to his resume in his final season at South Alabama with 12 returns for 183 yards at a 15.3 yards per return average, and added a touchdown. Washington doesn't have a clear special-teams returner on the roster right now, and can certainly add Pritchett to the mix of options if they draft him in April, in addition to his instant impact on offense. Adam Peters excels at finding gems in the draft, and Jamaal Pritchett could be a big target for the Commanders in the draft.
