MyCole Pruitt

MyCole Pruitt (born March 24, 1992) is an American football tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Southern Illinois, where he was a two-time first-team FCS All-American. Pruitt was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He has also been a member of the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers, and Atlanta Falcons.

Early life
Pruitt was born to Colette Bonds and Carlos Pruitt on March 24, 1992, in South Bend, Indiana. He attended Kirkwood High School in Kirkwood, Missouri, where he was a three-time All-Conference defensive end and first-team All-Conference tight end in 2009. Pruitt attended the same high school as former Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. As a freshman, Pruitt had seven receptions for 148 yards and three touchdowns. He led his team to a 10–1 record and made the state playoffs during his sophomore year. As a junior, Pruitt recorded 30 receptions for 397 yards with six touchdowns and posted 50 tackles (14 for loss) and six sacks, helping his team advance to the second round of the playoffs. Pruitt was a four-year honor roll student.

Pruitt also played basketball, volleyball and competed in track & field at Kirkwood. He led the hoops team to the 2008–09 district championship. Pruitt participated in throws and jumps on the track team, and was a state qualifier in the discus, with a top-throw of 47.90 meters (157 feet, 1 inch). He also posted bests of 13.40 meters (43 feet, 11.75 inches) in the shot put and 5.55 meters (18 feet, 2 inches) in the long jump.

Rivals.com rated Pruitt as a two-star recruit at tight end.

College career
Following high school, Pruitt attended Southern Illinois University (SIU), where he played for the Southern Illinois Salukis football team from 2010 to 2014. Pruitt was redshirted for the 2010 season and was named SIU's Offensive Scout Player of the Week during the Quincy game week. He was a consensus NCAA Division I Football Championship (FCS) All-American as a junior and senior. Pruitt finished his college football career at SIU as the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) record holder in career receptions (211), receiving yards (2,601) and receiving touchdowns (25) among tight ends.

Freshman season (2011)
As a redshirt freshman in 2011, Pruitt played in 11 games and recorded 43 receptions for 562 yards and three touchdowns, placing eighth in the conference in receptions per game with 3.9 yards and receiving yards per game with 51.1 yards. He was named team receiver MVP by teammates as he led the team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Pruitt earned a spot on the MVFC All-Newcomer team and was also an honorable mention All-MVFC selection.

Sophomore season (2012)
In 2012, Pruitt was a Third-team All-American honoree by The Sports Network and a First-team All-MVFC selection. He started in all 11 games at tight end and led the team in receptions (49), receiving yards (577) and touchdown receptions (4) for the second consecutive season. Pruitt's 92 career receptions ranked second in school history by a tight end at the time, while his 49 receptions tied for eighth most in a single season in school history. Pruitt was fourth nationally among tight ends in receiving yards and sixth nationally among tight ends in receptions per game (4.5). He also ranked fifth in the MVFC in receptions and sixth in receiving yards per game (52.5) and led all conference tight ends in both categories. Against Southeast Missouri State, Pruitt posted a career-best nine receptions for 121 yards. On September 17, 2012, he was named the National Performer of the Week at tight end by the College Football Performance Awards.

Junior season (2013)
Ranked as the top tight end in the FCS by the College Football Performance Awards, Pruitt was named a First-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Sports Network, Associated Press (AP) and FCS Athletic Directors Association as a junior in 2013. He was also a First-team All-MVFC selection. Pruitt started 10 games, missing the final two games of the season after playing the second half against Missouri State with a broken leg. He led the MVFC in receptions (48) and receiving yards (601) by a tight end and was also third in the conference with 4.8 receptions per game and sixth in receiving yards per game (60.1). Pruitt posted five touchdown catches, the most by a Saluki since 2008. He finished the season as SIU's all-time leader in career receptions (140) and receiving yards (1,740) by a tight end. Pruitt was named the CFPA National Performer of the Week for his performance against Eastern Illinois and was a four-time weekly CFPA tight end honorable mention.

Senior season (2014)
In his final season at SIU, Pruitt was named a First-team All-American by the AP, AFCA, The Sports Network, and Walter Camp Foundation. He was also a First-team All-MVFC selection. Pruitt was also selected as the FCS tight end of the year by the College Football Performance Awards after setting a school record in receptions with 81, leading the conference. He had 13 touchdown receptions (including at least one in every MVFC game), which rank second in single-season SIU history, while his 861 receiving yards ranks fifth in single-season SIU history. Pruitt ranked 12th in the FCS in receptions per game (6.8) and seventh in touchdown receptions (13). He led the MVFC in receptions per game (6.8) and ranked second in receiving touchdowns (13). Pruitt started all 12 games and had three straight 100-yard games. He had 10 receptions and 136 yards at Purdue and also had 10 receptions at Illinois State, becoming the first player since Cornell Craig (1999) with multiple 10+ reception games in a season. Pruitt led all Division I tight ends (FBS and FCS) in receptions (by 20), receiving yards (by 141) and receiving touchdowns (by four). He was a three-time CFPA Tight End Performer of the Week (after PUR, WIU and USD games). Pruitt was named the best tight end in MVFC history as part of the Valley's 30-year anniversary. For his career, Pruitt had a MVFC record 221 receptions for 2,601 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Pruitt graduated in December 2014 with a bachelor's degree in industrial technology.

Pre-draft
Prior to the draft, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller listed Pruitt as the seventh-best tight end prospect in his final 2015 rankings. Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com placed Pruitt at No. 4, while NFL.com's Lance Zierlein slotted him in at No. 10. Pruitt was considered to be a late-Day 2 or Day 3 pick.

Pruitt impressed at the 2015 NFL Combine; weighing in at 252 pounds, Pruitt ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds, which was by far the best time among tight ends. He also posted the top vertical jump at the position with a leap of 38.0", and his 9'10" broad jump finished as fourth-best. In the shuttles, Pruitt had the third-best time in both the 20-yard (4.37 seconds) and 60-yard (11.85) workouts.

2015 season
Pruitt was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round (143rd overall pick) of the 2015 NFL Draft. The pick was part of a trade where the Vikings and Detroit Lions swapped third round picks, and the Lions sent their fifth-rounder to Minnesota. Pruitt signed a four-year, $2,510,588 deal with the Vikings with a $230,588 signing bonus that was all guaranteed.

During the first two weeks of the 2015 season, Pruitt recorded just four snaps in each game. During a Week 7 28–19 road victory over the Detroit Lions, he had his first NFL reception, a 13-yard gain to convert on third-and-12; needing to get past the 28, Pruitt caught the ball at the Detroit 35, broke two tackles, spun and was hit twice more at the 29–30 but surged forward. He also showed his versatility by delivering a key block that helped running back Adrian Peterson break free for a 75-yard gain. In the next game against the Chicago Bears, Pruitt saw a season-high 28 snaps out of the 58 offensive plays the Vikings ran since Rhett Ellison was out with a concussion. Pruitt finished the 23–20 road victory with two receptions for 15 yards. During a Week 14 23–20 road loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football, he recorded two receptions for a season-high 36 yards.

Pruitt finished his rookie season with 10 receptions for 89 yards in 16 games and three starts. The Vikings finished atop the NFC North with an 11–5 record and qualified for the playoffs. In the Wild Card Round against the Seattle Seahawks, Pruitt recorded two receptions for 22 yards during the narrow 10–9 loss.

2016 season
On November 8, 2016, Pruitt was released by the Vikings after recording a seven-yard reception in two games. He was signed to the practice squad two days later.

Chicago Bears
On December 13, 2016, Pruitt was signed by the Bears off the Vikings' practice squad. He played in the last two games of the regular season and recorded a six-yard reception.

On September 2, 2017, Pruitt was released by the Bears.

Buffalo Bills
On September 4, 2017, Pruitt was signed to the Buffalo Bills' practice squad. He was released 10 days later.

Houston Texans
On September 18, 2017, Pruitt was signed to the Houston Texans' practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on December 5. Pruitt was placed on injured reserve on December 19.

On September 2, 2018, Pruitt was waived by the Texans. He was signed to the practice squad two days later.

2018 season
On September 10, 2018, Pruitt was signed by the Tennessee Titans off the Texans practice squad after starting tight end Delanie Walker suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

During a Week 11 38–10 road loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Pruitt caught his first reception of the season for 19 yards. During a Week 16 25–16 victory over the Washington Redskins, Pruitt had two receptions for 29 yards and his first NFL touchdown on a two-yard pass from Blaine Gabbert.

Pruitt finished the 2018 season with nine receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown in 15 games and one start.

2019 season
During a Week 12 42–20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Pruitt caught his first reception of the season for 20 yards. Two weeks later against the Oakland Raiders, Pruitt had a 42-yard reception in the 42–21 road victory. During the regular-season finale against the Houston Texans, he recorded two receptions for 13 yards and his first touchdown of the season in the 35–14 road victory.

Pruitt finished the 2019 season with six receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown in 16 games and 10 starts. The Titans finished second in the AFC South with a 9–7 record and qualified for the playoffs as the #6-seed. In the postseason, Pruitt recorded four receptions for 28 yards before the Titans lost the eventual Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, in the AFC Championship Game.

2020 season
On March 24, 2020, Pruitt was re-signed by the Titans.

During the narrow season-opening 16–14 road victory over the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football, Pruitt recorded a one-yard touchdown. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on October 8, and was activated from the list on October 20. During a Week 13 41–35 loss to the Cleveland Browns, Pruitt caught a 22-yard touchdown and scored another touchdown when he recovered a fumble in the end zone.

Pruitt finished the 2020 season with five receptions for 49 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games and four starts.

San Francisco 49ers
On June 2, 2021, Pruitt signed with the San Francisco 49ers. He was released on August 31.

Tennessee Titans (second stint)
On September 1, 2021, Pruitt was signed to the Titans' practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on September 13.

During a Week 2 33–30 overtime road victory over the Seahawks, Pruitt had three receptions for a season-high 43 yards. Three weeks later against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he caught his first touchdown of the season on a 14-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill in the 37–19 road victory. During a Week 7 27–3 blowout victory over the Chiefs, Pruitt had three receptions for 27 yards and touchdown, which came on a five-yard pass from running back Derrick Henry in the first quarter. During a narrow Week 10 23–21 victory over the New Orleans Saints, Pruitt caught his third touchdown of the season on a two-yard reception. During the second quarter of a Week 17 34–3 victory over the Miami Dolphins, his leg was rolled up while he was blocking. It was later revealed that Pruitt suffered a dislocation and fracture of his right ankle, requiring season-ending surgery. Pruitt was placed on injured reserve on January 3, 2022.

Pruitt finished the 2021 season with 14 receptions for 145 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games and nine starts.

2022 season
On August 8, 2022, Pruitt signed with the Atlanta Falcons. He was released on August 30 and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day. On October 15, Pruitt was promoted to the active roster for the Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. In that game, he recorded a two-yard touchdown reception from Marcus Mariota as the Falcons won 28–14. Two days later, Pruitt was promoted to the active roster with teammate Casey Hayward being placed on injured reserve. During a Week 12 19–13 road loss to the Washington Commanders, Pruitt had two receptions for nine yards and a touchdown. In the next game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he recorded his third touchdown of the season on a seven-yard reception during the 19–16 loss. During the regular-season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pruitt had three receptions for a season-high 54 yards and a touchdown in the 30–17 victory.

Pruitt finished the 2022 season setting career-highs in receptions with 21, receiving yards with 150, and receiving touchdowns with four in 13 games and four starts.

2023 season
On July 25, 2023, Pruitt re-signed with the Falcons. He recorded his only touchdown of the season during a Week 13 13–8 road victory over the New York Jets.

Pruitt finished the 2023 season with nine receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown in 17 games and eight starts.

Pittsburgh Steelers
On April 4, 2024, Pruitt signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.