Byron Pringle

... No two prospects take the same exact path to the NFL. And that is especially true with Pringle who has been able to overcome multiple mistakes from his youth to have a chance at a pro career. When he was only 16-years old, Pringle was arrested and charged with multiple felonies for a series of crimes (July 2010), including burglary, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and grand theft. He was sentenced to four year’s probation and 100 hours of community service, also missing his junior season of high school football. Enter, Youngstown State. The FCS-level program gave him an opportunity as a grayshirt, but he was arrested again for sudden snatching. Although the charges were later dismissed, the damage was done and he was dismissed from the program. After time at Butler Community College, Pringle receive another chance at Kansas State where he lined up primarily as an outside receiver as the Wildcats No. 1 receiving option, leading the team in receiving yards in his two seasons in Manhattan. On the field, Pringle has frustrating drops, but his athleticism shows mid-route and at the catch point to make impressive grabs. He has only played organized football in four of the last eight years and his inexperience shows, lacking technical refinement and consistency of a seasoned player. Pringle’s off-field baggage and character require extensive examination, but his maturity now as a 24-year old is much different according to his coaches. Butler head coach Tim Schaffner (“he was a great leader for us.”) and Kansa State Bill Snyder (“he convinced me he would be the type of guy we want in our program, and he has been every part of that.”) both vouch for him as a person. BACKGROUND A no-star wide receiver recruit out of high school, Byron Pringle missed his entire junior season at Robinson after he was arrested on felony charges, which scared off most FBS and FCS programs. He returned for his senior season and earned all-state honors as a receiver and return man, drawing two FCS-level scholarship offers: Youngstown State and Bethune Cookman. Pringle signed with YSU in 2012 as a grayshirt, delaying enrollment for one year, but he was dismissed from the program following another arrest in 2013. He enrolled at Butler Community College and redshirted in 2014, marking his third straight season of not playing football (and fourth in five years). Pringle found the field in 2015 and posted 28 catches, 432 yards and nine touchdowns, becoming a three-star JUCO recruit. With his criminal past, Pringle had few options, but Snyder invested a lot of time and resources to get to know the receiver, ultimately offering him a scholarship. He started all 13 games as a redshirt sophomore in 2016 and recorded a team-best 631 receiving yards and four scores, earning First Team All-Big 12 honors as a kick returner. Pringle set career-bests as a junior with 724 yards receiving and six touchdown grabs in 2017, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.

in our view

Pringle stylistically has a similar playing style as Dez Bryant with his frame, strong strides and athletic body control to make plays, however, he needs to eliminate the drops and prove to be a better finisher to stay on the football field in the NFL.

strengths

Loose body control. Drives off the line with strong strides. Collects his feet at the stem to plant-and-burst without losing speed. Uses body lean and quickness in/out of his breaks to escape coverage. Makes easy mid-air adjustments on the football. Always looking to work back and give his quarterback a clear target. Flashes big play ability, averaging 24.1 yards per catch in 2017 and 19.6 over his Kansas State career. First in his family to graduate with a college degree (criminology). Averaged 27.6 yards per kick return with two touchdowns (39/1,076/2) – also has punt return experience. – Dane Brugler 1/21/2018

weaknesses

Strong hands, but focus wanes, leading to a high drop rate. Concentration lapses affect his catch radius. Too easily fazed by traffic. Lacks elite top-end speed and can be caught from behind. Freelances routes with questionable awareness. Inexperienced vs. press coverage. Needs to improve his aggressive approach and technique as a blocker. Unimpressive resume with only 69 career catches in two seasons at the FBS level. Off-field decision-making requires investigation with his extensive criminal past. Older prospect and will turn 25 years old as a NFL rookie. – Dane Brugler 1/21/2018

Played for Robinson under head coach Mike DePue

Was a Second Team Class 5A All-Florida selection while also earning First Team All-Hillsborough County honors after catching 25 passes for 391 yards and seven touchdowns

Also rushed for 162 yards on 13 carries and had two scores, while he recorded four interceptions and three fumble recoveries on defense

Returned 11 punts for 204 yards (18.5-yard average) and had 394 yards on 11 kickoff returns (35.8 yards per return) while scoring four touchdowns

His return total included a 99-yard touchdown while he had a 95-yard interception return for a score in playoff loss to Tampa Jesuit in the regional semifinals

Voted the player of the game at the inaugural Blue-Gray National High School Classic as he had six catches for 104 yards, 75 kickoff-return yards and 10 rushing yards (189 all-purpose) in the game played at Raymond James Stadium

Also participated in Hillsborough County All-Star Game.

Byron Pringle was born November 17, 1993, in Tampa, Florida

Son of Patty Freeman

Has one son, Bryson

Majoring in sociology/criminology.

2017

passing
ATT	YPA	PCT	YDS	INT	TD	COMPLETIONS
1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
15.0	0.0	15.0	1.0	15.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
30.0	24.1	6.0	60.0	724.0

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
0.0	1.0	1.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

kickReturns
LONG	YDS	NO	TD	AVG
89.0	417.0	16.0	1.0	26.1

puntReturns
AVG	NO	TD	LONG	YDS
11.2	5.0	0.0	34.0	56.0

2016

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
4.0	0.0	12.0	3.0	5.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
39.0	16.2	4.0	83.0	631.0

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
0.0	0.0	2.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

kickReturns
LONG	YDS	NO	TD	AVG
99.0	659.0	23.0	1.0	28.7

puntReturns
AVG	NO	TD	LONG	YDS
7.8	8.0	0.0	43.0	62.0