MyCole Pruitt

MyCole Pruitt Bio

MyCole Pruitt (born March 24, 1992) is an American professional football tight end who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He played college football for the Southern Illinois Salukis, where he became the Missouri Valley Football Conference record holder in career receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns among tight ends. The Minnesota Vikings selected Pruitt in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft with the 143rd overall pick. He has since played for eight NFL teams over nine professional seasons, developing a reputation as a reliable blocking tight end and red-zone threat.

Early Life and Background

MyCole 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 excelled in multiple sports. At Kirkwood, he was a three-time All-Conference defensive end and earned first-team All-Conference honors as a tight end during his senior year in 2009. He shared the distinction of attending the same high school as former NFL wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.

As a freshman at Kirkwood, Pruitt caught seven passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns. During his sophomore year, he led his team to a 10-1 record and a spot in the state playoffs. In his junior season, he recorded 30 receptions for 397 yards with six touchdowns while also posting 50 tackles including 14 for loss and six sacks, helping his team advance to the second round of the playoffs. Beyond football, Pruitt was a four-year honor roll student and participated in basketball, volleyball, and track and field. He led the basketball team to a district championship in 2008-09 and qualified for the state meet in the discus, posting a top throw of 157 feet. He also posted personal bests of 43 feet 11.75 inches in the shot put and 18 feet 2 inches in the long jump.

Path to American Football

Following his standout high school career, Pruitt enrolled at Southern Illinois University where he played for the Salukis football team from 2010 to 2014. He was redshirted during his first season in 2010. In his redshirt freshman season of 2011, Pruitt made an immediate impact, catching 43 passes for 562 yards and three touchdowns while leading the team in all receiving categories. His performance earned him a spot on the MVFC All-Newcomer team and an honorable mention All-MVFC selection.

As a sophomore in 2012, Pruitt continued his ascent, earning Third-team All-American honors from The Sports Network and First-team All-MVFC recognition. He led the team with 49 receptions for 577 yards and four touchdowns. His 92 career receptions ranked second in school history for a tight end at that time, while his reception total tied for eighth most in a single season in school history. Nationally, he ranked fourth among tight ends in receiving yards and sixth in receptions per game.

MyCole Pruitt Career

College Career (2010–2014)

MyCole Pruitt concluded his college career at Southern Illinois as the most decorated tight end in MVFC history. He was redshirted for the 2010 season and earned SIU’s Offensive Scout Player of the Week honors during the Quincy game week. He became a consensus NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision All-American during both his junior and senior seasons, cementing his status as one of the top FCS prospects at his position.

In his junior season of 2013, Pruitt was ranked as the top tight end in the FCS by the College Football Performance Awards. He earned First-team All-American honors from four different organizations including the American Football Coaches Association, The Sports Network, Associated Press, and the FCS Athletic Directors Association. Despite suffering a broken leg that ended his season early, he led the MVFC in receptions and receiving yards among tight ends while finishing as SIU’s all-time leader in career receptions and receiving yards at the position.

Senior Season and College Records (2014)

Pruitt’s senior season in 2014 represented the pinnacle of his college career. He was named a First-team All-American by five prestigious organizations including the Associated Press, AFCA, Walter Camp Foundation, and The Sports Network. He set a school single-season record with 81 receptions while leading the conference and ranked seventh nationally with 13 touchdown receptions. His 861 receiving yards placed him fifth in school history for a single season. He led all Division I tight ends in receptions by 20, receiving yards by 141, and receiving touchdowns by four. Pruitt was named the best tight end in MVFC history as part of the league’s 30-year anniversary celebration and graduated in December 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology.

Professional Career

Prior to the 2015 NFL Draft, Pruitt impressed scouts with his performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. At 252 pounds, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds, the fastest time among tight ends that year. He also posted the top vertical jump at the position with a leap of 38 inches while his broad jump of 9 feet 10 inches finished fourth among his position group.

Minnesota Vikings Era (2015–2016)

The Minnesota Vikings selected MyCole Pruitt in the fifth round with the 143rd overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract worth $2,510,588 with a $230,588 signing bonus. During his rookie season, Pruitt saw limited action in the first two weeks before recording his first NFL catch in Week 7 against the Detroit Lions, a 13-yard gain on third-and-12 that included him breaking multiple tackles. He also delivered a key block that helped running back Adrian Peterson break free for a 75-yard gain. The Vikings released Pruitt on November 8, 2016, and he was signed to their practice squad.

Journeyman Years (2016–2021)

Following his departure from Minnesota, Pruitt embarked on a period with multiple teams. The Chicago Bears signed him off the Vikings’ practice squad on December 13, 2016, but released him the following September. He joined the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad in September 2017 before moving to the Houston Texans, where he was promoted to the active roster in December 2017 and caught his first NFL touchdown pass. The Titans signed Pruitt off the Texans’ practice squad on September 10, 2018, after starter Delanie Walker suffered a season-ending ankle injury. He recorded his first career touchdown reception on December 22, 2018, against the Washington Redskins. After returning to the Titans in 2021, he suffered a dislocation and fracture of his right ankle in the season finale against the Miami Dolphins, requiring season-ending surgery. He finished that season with a career-high 14 catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns.

Atlanta Falcons (2022–2023)

On August 8, 2022, Pruitt signed with the Atlanta Falcons. He was released during roster cuts but re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster in October 2022. He earned a permanent spot on the 53-man roster after scoring a touchdown in Week 6 against his former team, the San Francisco 49ers. Pruitt re-signed with the Falcons in July 2023 for the following season.

Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024–Present)

On April 4, 2024, MyCole Pruitt signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The move reunited him with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who had previously worked with him during his time with the Titans. Pruitt’s experience as both a blocker and receiver provided the Steelers with depth at the tight end position. His career NFL statistics as of Week 16 of the 2024 season include 77 receptions for 788 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Playing Style and Strengths

MyCole Pruitt is known for his versatility as both a receiving and blocking tight end. His 6-foot-2, 258-pound frame allows him to contribute effectively in-line blocking situations while his collegiate background as a prolific pass-catcher makes him a threat in the red zone. His speed (4.58-second 40-yard dash at the combine) and athleticism (38-inch vertical jump) made him one of the most athletic tight end prospects in the 2015 draft class. Teams have valued his ability to line up in multiple positions and contribute on special teams.

Notable Achievements and Records

Throughout his college career at Southern Illinois, Pruitt set multiple conference and school records. He holds the MVFC record for career receptions (221), receiving yards (2,601), and receiving touchdowns (25) by a tight end. He was named the best tight end in MVFC history as part of the league’s 30-year anniversary celebration. His 2014 season stats led all Division I tight ends nationally in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.

MyCole Pruitt Career Statistics

MyCole Pruitt has played nine NFL seasons across eight different teams. His professional career has been characterized by reliability when called upon, particularly as a red-zone target and blocking tight end. He reached his single-season career highs during the 2021 season with the Tennessee Titans, catching 14 passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns despite the season-ending ankle injury.

College Highlights

At Southern Illinois, Pruitt was a two-time consensus All-American and a two-time CFPA Tight End of the Year. He was a three-time First-team All-MVFC selection and earned MVFC All-Newcomer team honors in 2011. His senior season saw him lead all Division I tight ends in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns while setting single-season school records. He was inducted into the MVFC’s all-time best players list as part of the conference’s 30-year anniversary recognition.

NFL Career Overview

Over his NFL career spanning from 2015 through the 2024 season, Pruitt has appeared in games with multiple franchises, contributing as both a receiver and blocker. His most productive season came in 2021 with the Titans when he caught three touchdown passes. As of Week 16 of the 2024 season, he has recorded 77 career receptions for 788 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Family

Family Background

MyCole Pruitt was born in South Bend, Indiana, to Carlos Pruitt and Colette Bonds. His parents supported his athletic pursuits throughout his youth, which included participation in multiple sports at Kirkwood High School. The Pruitt family background in athletics contributed to MyCole’s development as a multi-sport athlete who excelled not only in football but also in basketball, volleyball, and track and field during his high school years.

Personal Life

Pruitt graduated from Southern Illinois University in December 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology. Throughout his professional career, he has been recognized for his football intelligence and work ethic, attributes that helped him remain in the NFL despite being a journeyman player. His ability to adapt to different offensive systems and build chemistry with multiple quarterbacks has been a hallmark of his professional longevity.

2025 Season Outlook

Entering the 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, MyCole Pruitt brings veteran experience to a tight end room that values his blocking ability and red-zone capabilities. His familiarity with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s system from their time together in Tennessee provides him an opportunity to contribute meaningfully early in the season. The Steelers rely on Pruitt’s versatility to fill multiple roles within the offensive scheme. At 33 years old entering the 2025 season, Pruitt continues to demonstrate the same athletic tools that made him an elite college player while adding the wisdom gained from nearly a decade of professional experience. His career trajectory exemplifies the value of adaptability and special teams contribution for players seeking long NFL careers.