Jamaal Pritchett looking to continue South Alabama’s NFL legacy

South Alabama has a rather modest history in the NFL, but the Jaguars’ legacy at the receiver position is fairly strong.

Jamaal Pritchett is playing in this year’s Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, marking the fifth straight year South Alabama has placed a player in the annual college football all-star game and NFL draft showcase. He’s hoping to get his shot in the pros, as former Jaguars receivers such as Kawaan Baker (New Orleans Saints), Jalen Tolbert (Dallas Cowboys) and Jalen Wayne (Green Bay Packers) have done before him.

“It feels real good to be part of that legacy,” Pritchett said following Tuesday’s American team practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. “I’m just trying to just come out here, do my job and just follow in their steps and hopefully make it to the next level.”

The 5-foot-8, 170-pound Pritchett had a breakout senior season at South Alabama in 2024, leading the Sun Belt Conference in receptions (91) and yards (1,127) and scoring eight touchdowns. The Jackson native was a first-team All-Sun Belt pick for a Jaguars team that finished 7-6 and won the Salute to Veterans Bowl.

The Senior Bowl of course takes place at Pritchett’s home stadium, with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Hancock Whitney. That means he had a built-in support network, with several former Jaguars teammates on-hand to watch him Tuesday. “I’ve still got to come out here and put in and work like them, so I wouldn’t say it’s an advantage,” Pritchett said. “But I’ve got a lot of support here, all my boys were in the stands. So that definitely helped me out some.”

Since South Alabama’s season ended, Pritchett has been training at Bommarito Performance Systems in Miami. Because he’s somewhat undersized, it’s incumbent that he not only show play-making ability during practice, but perform well in the various speed-testing drills that will take place between now and the NFL draft in late April.

Pritchett will be the second member of his family in the last two years to play in the Senior Bowl after his cousin, former Auburn defensive back Nehemiah Pritchett, did so last year. Nehemiah Pritchett was a fifth-round pick of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks a year ago, and finished his rookie season with 12 tackles and a pass breakup in 10 games.

Jamaal Pritchett said he spoke with his older cousin about what to expect at the Senior Bowl.

“He told me just to take advantage of the opportunity, enjoy it, live in the moment,” Pritchett said. “That’s all, just enjoy it.”

Pritchett came to South Alabama as a walk-on in 2022 after spending his freshman season on the Division II level at Tuskegee. He began turning heads early in fall camp that year, and by the end of the 2022 season was a regular part of the Jaguars’ receiver rotation.

Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy said Pritchett’s rise from walk-on to NFL draft prospect is an “incredible story,” but Pritchett didn’t get the Senior Bowl invitation because of his inspiring narrative, his family connections or his local ties. Nagy said Pritchett possesses many of the receiver attributes prized by scouts at the next level.

“What the NFL likes about him is just obviously he’s a twitchy guy,” Nagy said. “He’s good in the slot. He’s tough. He can return — he’s got legit punt return value.

“I was kind of unclear where the league was at with Jamaal, but I was at a game probably in early October. And I hadn’t really been talking to a lot of teams about him yet. And all three scouts in the press box that night said they had draftable grades on him.

“So that was great. I love to hear that. Because if we’re going to bring any of these guys, we want them to get drafted. So when I knew the league was in a good place with him getting drafted, we felt good about it.”

Pritchett is part of an American team receiver corps that also includes TCU’s Jack Bech, Florida’s Chimere Dike, Georgia’s Arian Smith and Tennessee’s Bru McCoy, among others. He’s one of three Sun Belt alums in the game, along with Marshall edge rusher Mike Green and Arkansas State offensive lineman Jacob Bayer. The cornerback group he’s worked against in practice includes a mixture of Power 4 and Group of 5 alums. Among those are Trey Amos of Ole Miss, Maxwell Hairston of Kentucky, Mac McWilliams of Central Florida, Upton Stout of Western Kentucky and Johnathan Edwards of Tulane.

“I just had to get my feet back up under me,” Pritchett said. “I had a solid day overall, so I’m good with it.” That’s the main thing, to show out here that I can hold my own regardless of the school, so that I’m a playmaker. That’s all.” Senior Bowl practices take place Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Practices are free and open to the public.

Kickoff for the 2025 Senior Bowl is at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, with television coverage on NFL Network. A limited number of tickets for the game remain available, and can be purchased at seniorbowl.com/tickets.

Senior Bowl 2025 game week schedule

Wednesday, Jan. 29

Senior Bowl practices (open to public)

National team, Hancock Whitney Stadium, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

American team, Hancock Whitney Stadium, noon-2 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 30

Senior Bowl practices (open to public)

National team, Hancock Whitney Stadium, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

American team, Hancock Whitney Stadium, noon-2 p.m.

USA Health Doc Rock, Soul Kitchen, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 31

Saints Cheer Krewe clinic, Jaguar Training Center, noon-3 p.m.

— open to high school-aged cheerleaders and dancers

— cost, $75

Friday Night Street Party (Downtown Mobile)

— Player parade, 6 p.m.

— Free concert featuring Eli Young Band & Sammy Kershaw, Cathedral Square, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 1

Senior Bowl Fan Fest (free), South Lawn of Hancock Whitney Stadium, 10:30 a.m.

Legacy Tailgate HBCU Experience (free), South end of Jaguar Training Center, 10:30 a.m.

Path to the Draft players walk, outside Hancock Whitney Stadium, 11 a.m.

Senior Bowl game, Hancock Whitney Stadium, 1:30 p.m.

— performances by Jaguar Marching Band & Saints Cheer Krewe