After the San Francisco 49ers managed to find their starting quarterback with the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, teams are certainly interested in identifying signal callers with starting upside outside of the first round.
Tulane’s Michael Pratt established himself as a quality quarterback very early during his college career.
Here is everything you need to know about Pratt and his evaluation as a prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.
How Tall Is Michael Pratt?
The shape, skills, and size of quarterbacks entering the NFL from the college game have changed a bit over the last 15 years, with teams operating out of the shotgun and utilizing quarterbacks in the running game regularly.
Pratt was an effective passer and runner at Tulane and enters the NFL still in the 33rd percentile for height, standing at 6’2”.
How Much Does Pratt Weigh?
Most wouldn’t qualify Pratt as a physical specimen entering the league, but his 217-pound frame puts him in the 34th percentile for his position.
Pratt does carry a dual-threat element to his game, which can make his weight a slightly more important factor when looking at his entire prospect profile. But his height and weight do put him on the small side for a quarterback prospect entering the NFL.
How Old Is Pratt?
Pratt enters the pro game at 22 years old but will turn 23 right around the start of the 2024 NFL season.
Pratt is one of the younger quarterback prospects in this class, with only Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy entering the league at a younger age.
What School Did Pratt Go To?
In high school, Pratt attended Boca Raton High School for three years and then transferred to Deerfield Beach High School for his senior year.
In a day and age when players regularly attend more than one school during their collegiate career, Pratt spent all four years of his college playing days at Tulane.
Revisiting Pratt’s College Career
Pratt’s collegiate production on paper looks good but not great. However, there was certainly improvement from his time under center as a true freshman back in 2020 all the way through his final season in 2023.
The 2020 season is always a bit tricky to analyze due to the profound impact COVID-19 had on the sport, but Pratt did step on the field as a true freshman and play fairly well with 20 TDs to just eight INTs over his first 10 games on the college gridiron. In addition to his 1,806 passing yards, he also added 229 yards and eight TDs as a runner.
In 2021, Pratt’s rushing production took a slight step back with 154 yards and five TDs, but he managed to throw for 2,390 yards and 21 TDs as a true sophomore.
Many could argue Pratt’s junior year was his best season at the collegiate level, throwing for 3,009 yards and 27 TDs with only five INTs. In addition to his increased production through the air, Pratt ran for 478 yards and 10 TDs in 2022. These numbers represent his career-best marks in college.
Pratt finished his career on a high note with 2,406 yards and 22 TDs to go with another five rushing scores on the ground in his final season at Tulane.
Pratt’s Potential in the NFL
Pratt’s production during his collegiate career suggests he has a quality understanding of the position. He protects the ball, he can give you some additional value as a rushing threat, and his completion percentage climbed every year of his career while never throwing more than eight interceptions in any single season as Tulane’s starting quarterback.
KEEP READING: Top QBs in the 2024 NFL Draft
He doesn’t possess the strongest arm in the class, but he does showcase impressive touch when throwing passes to the second and third level of the defense — even showcasing some glimpses of anticipation working the middle of the field — while maintaining a solid throwing base with consistent throwing mechanics.
Pratt does possess some traits of a potential starter in the NFL, which could lead to him being a Day 2 draft pick. But he still projects as a backup entering the league who could develop into a starter down the road in a West Coast system.
Draft with your friends today! PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator now supports multiple drafters during the same draft! Ensure your player rankings are up to date on the 2024 NFL Draft Big Board and you know what every NFL team needs before drafting.