PATRIOTS TRAINING CAMP 2026 Patriots Training Camp - Day 20

[OldEngland]

The question is, why did all the draft experts miss utterly on this guy?

3 star recruit out of high school. He was a Freshman All-American at Kansas, then had a dispute with a coach so left, and went to Northwestern A&T for 3 years, he redshirted then was All-CCA for 2 years. Before transferring to Wake Forest and was 3rd team ACC. He wasn't a combine invite, and only had 3 teams bring him in for a visit.

So older prospect at 24, with an atypical college journey, no combine invite, or bowl invites like east-west, shrine or senior bowls. He had less exposure than many prospects, but good size and athletism numbers.

The Pats CB coach Justin Hamilton knew him. He tried to recruit him out of high school when at Virginia Tech, and Prunty is from Virginia. So the Pats had the inside track on him, and went to his pro-day and brought him in for a visit.

 

[n1997y]

3 star recruit out of high school. He was a Freshman All-American at Kansas, then had a dispute with a coach so left, and went to Northwestern A&T for 3 years, he redshirted then was All-CCA for 2 years. Before transferring to Wake Forest and was 3rd team ACC. He wasn't a combine invite, and only had 3 teams bring him in for a visit.

So older prospect at 24, with an atypical college journey, no combine invite, or bowl invites like east-west, shrine or senior bowls. He had less exposure than many prospects, but good size and athletism numbers.

The Pats CB coach Justin Hamilton knew him. He tried to recruit him out of high school when at Virginia Tech, and Prunty is from Virginia. So the Pats had the inside track on him, and went to his pro-day and brought him in for a visit.

Good info, thanks. Seems like maybe dedicating some resources to researching and tracking players with non traditional journeys might return good value.

 

[n1997y]

Another take from NFL Network. Judy Battista just commented that after attending both the Colts and Eagles joint practices with the Patriots that it was clear that AJ Brown is the best wide receiver on the field “regardless of who is the other team”.

Replay of Sal Pal interview coming up soon. I expect they’ll be getting a lot of mileage out of it.

NFL Network had Sal Pal on, interviewing AJ after practice. Sal opened by commenting about how the Pats called Brown’s number on the very first play, and asking if he was held? AJ chuckled and muttered “maybe a little”. They ran several angles on the replay, some clearly showing a grab of Brown’s belt to stay close going downfield. Unclear it would’ve been called in live game action but it seemed that if it were called there’d be enough to justify it.

IIRC that was Woods, and he got completely turned the wrong way. Almost as thoroughly beaten as Cooperation DeJean was beaten by Pop Douglas on his worst rep. Of course Pop beat him on two other reps as well.

 

[patfanken]

It is funny. My Instagram has been flooded with endless reels from Eagles influencers gaslighting about AJ Brown's day. Of course they show the first play of the practice where Quinyon Mitchell covered Brown and Brown dropped the ball. Then they make is sound like AJ Brown had a horrible practice and the real star of the day was Dontayvion Wicks (they showed the one play where he ran one way and the defender ran the other at the LOS). One influencer did show the one play where Brown made a great catch, but it was from a mile away and he claimed there wasn't a better angle on it although you can see the video of that play close up multiple times in this thread.

About the AJ Brown/and the top Eagle corner play, it happened right in front of me, and I MISSED the most important part. It looked like great coverage from the CB who knocked the ball away at the last second (beautiful pass btw). What I DIDN'T see, was that with his offhand the CB had been grabbing Brown's pants for 5 yds and nearly depant'sed him. I didn't see it until I was watching NFL today and Sal Pal showed a clip of the play from behind, where you could see the hold clearly.

So even on the ONE pass that AJ didn't catch there WERE extenuating circumstances.

 

[TommyD4207]

The question is, why did all the draft experts miss utterly on this guy?

Wake Forest was on one nationally televised game last year, and they got destroyed by Florida State in that game. Hard to pop off the screen when your team gets beat 42-7.

 

[manxman2601]

OT

Three of the Ole Miss UDFAs from the last draft were allowed back to school yesterday despite having signed on with NFL teams so I thought this was quite funny.

 

[Water Boy]

Is it more about Bryant's development? He seems to have stepped up into the swing tackle OT3/4 role. He is only a few months older than Crownover as well.

Not surprised Crownover is running with the 3s because of Lomu and Bryant.

Reports were that Bryant struggled at RT yesterday. I'm not sure we have a true swing tackle yet.

 

[Water Boy]

I think hurts is a good guy so it’s gonna be somewhat tough for me to root against him, but the eagles fans have been absurdly annoying all offseason about everything involving the aj brown storyline. Taking shots at drake too.

It will be very interesting to watch hurts without aj brown there. Dvonta smith is good and all, but he was there those first couple years when hurts was pedestrian at best.

If AJB was drafted as a Patriot and then shot his way out of town how do you think Patriot's nation would react?

He would be the the number one obsession of the fanbase and media. I can't blame Philly. The Philly media is giving the fans what they need to help heal their deeply bruised egos.

Imagine having to rationalize a clear top 5 WR fed up and not willing to assimilate into an organization's offensive vision and having to have faith that the Siriani/Hurtz led Eagles can overcome his loss.

 

[Clonamery]

Wake Forest was on one nationally televised game last year, and they got destroyed by Florida State in that game. Hard to pop off the screen when your team gets beat 42-7.

He was on the Pats Contacts List coming into the Draft (also the Chiefs which adds context). @Manx sunk his teeth in. He had some traits that showed value. 4th? Hmm, probably not but after that, yeah, though others' interest added to their decision.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I still think they should have reached out about him instead of signing Van Roten.

Willie Lampkin was a draft binkie of mine, but I saw him as a FB.

 

[moosekill]

It is funny that people on here are reviewing our olinemen based on reports from reporters for the most part on how they did in their 1 on 1 battles, against Philly's d linemen. I much prefer how they actually do in game situations, I guess it is mostly all we have to go by, but Campbell beating a 3rd string lineman, or Lomu losing to Philly's #1 means a lot less than Maye having time in the pocket to get a pass off, or Stevenson getting a big run in an actual game situation.

 

[Water Boy]

Bedard reported that Wilson looked good against his former Georgia teammates.

 

[Sect140]

For Bedard I thought this was positively giddy enthusiasm.

Felger will be pissed at him, he may not let him back on the show.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

If AJB was drafted as a Patriot and then shot his way out of town how do you think Patriot's nation would react?

He would be the the number one obsession of the fanbase and media. I can't blame Philly. The Philly media is giving the fans what they need to help heal their deeply bruised egos.

Imagine having to rationalize a clear top 5 WR fed up and not willing to assimilate into an organization's offensive vision and having to have faith that the Siriani/Hurtz led Eagles can overcome his loss.

The thing is its not just him though. They are taking shots at us , Drake, all offseason when i checked out their forums. They made a huge stink over the russini thing and wanting us punished for ‘tampering’.

In the scenario you pointed out yes id be bitter towards aj, id be rooting against his success wherever he goes. But i wouldn’t be obsessed with him and his new team either. Personally at least, guess i cant speak for all of patsfans

Many of them genuinely seem to think that Jalen will be better off without aj. I have no problem with that but i cant say i wont be pretty damn happy if they crash and burn this year.

 

[Water Boy]

Personally at least, guess i cant speak for all of patsfans

Boston fans in general are easily butt hurt. Think Roger Clemens, Johnny Damon, etc.

 

[DaBruinz]

If Kyle Williams shined early maybe the Pats would not have signed/traded for top notch receivers? I agree that Williams looks intriging, but how long does it take for him to catch.

It took 5 seasons for Edelman to finally secure a starting role.
It took 2 seasons for Branch and Givens under the tutelage of Brian Daboll to cement themselves as solid options in the offense.

With Hollins, Douglas and Boutte as UFA after this year, Williams improving and gaining Maye's confidence is all that matters. That way there is less flux next year. Even if the Pats can re-sign Boutte.

 

[DaBruinz]

And yet he was the 10th highest graded corner in last year's draft. I'm just annoyed with myself that I didn't pick up on that. There's clearly something there with him. He also tested reasonably well. I'm surprised Brugler and others were so low on him.

I was excited about Prunty. There was some good stuff on him posted in the threads. Especially after the Pats brought him in for a "30" visit.

 

[DaBruinz]

Agreed, the EDGE group may be underwhelming but at least Ponder and Jacas are a promising young foundation. At ILB they seem to be giving every player in camp a chance to run with the 1s and nobody is leaping out.

I think that Dre'Mont Jones, Jacas and Ponder are a very exciting trio. Swinson is starting to get some recognition and may see some time on the 53 if Landry starts the season on the PUP (which is looking very likely).

It's looking like Luketa will be amongst the first cuts. Wouldn't be surprised to see the Pats add 2-3 Edge players from around the league to the PS.

 

[DaBruinz]

Great report
Can’t believe we get this from a Patsfan, while they pay Ben Volin And his likes for flat out garbage.

@patfanken isn't just any Patriots fan. He's a former player and football coach. So he brings an experienced perspective.

 

[DaBruinz]

It is great if the draft niks keep missing ringers and the Pats keep drafting them in R4 and later. Shhhhhhhhhh!

PS the Pats have a whole scouting department watching all the games - they should find later round needles in the haystack.

There were several people who really liked Prunty once his name got mentioned.

Sometimes, people just get focused and forget other prospects. Ask Manx. He did it with Jacas.