Joshua Pryor: The 'Underdog' Is Ready To Challenge The NFL's Big Dogs

Joshua Pryor hopes to make history as the first NFL draft pick from the Bowie State Bulldogs football program.

HOUSTON — Joshua Pryor hopes to make history as the first NFL draft pick from the Bowie State Bulldogs football program.  Despite his calm demeanor, defensive end Pryor proved to be a dominant force at the 2023 HBCU Legacy Bowl.  The 6-5 and 240-pound defenders easily penetrated the Team Robinson offensive line recording two sacks and multiple quarterback pressures in the all-star event.  During the game, Pryor displayed impressive anticipation skills by being in the position to receive the handoff alongside the running backs.  Had Team Gaither won, he would have been awarded the title of Defensive MVP for the HBCU Legacy Bowl.

"It was a great experience," Pryor said of his time at the HBCU Legacy Bowl. "It was an honor just to be able to represent my school at a stage like that [HBZCU Legacy Bowl].  Also, being around guys from bigger schools do you want schools and stuff, I just wanted to be able to show that at Boise State, we still play football."

PRYOR'S GAME AND UPSIDE

The 2022 CIAA Defensive Player of the Year created havoc among opposing quarterbacks with 10 QB hurries, 3.5 sacks, amassing 10.5 TFLs, and 47 tackles while playing for the Bulldogs this past season.  His 245 tackles, 32 sacks, 77 TFLs, and 4 forced fumbles prove how disruptive he's been in his collegiate career.  His versatility to move inside has drawn interest from the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Chargers, and Washington Commanders.

Football Gameplan's Emory Hunt ranks Pryor as the No. 15 overall defensive end/edge rusher in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Strengths:

• He is a super productive and versatile defender who has played virtually everywhere across the defensive line in his career.
• Has a wide array of skills when it comes to playing DL; good hand usage, pad level, and balance, with an above-average ability to make the play at the right time.
• He can close on the QB rather well. Showed at the HBCU Legacy Bowl that he has the ball get off, and twitch to hold it down as an Edge guy.
• His tape shows potential to grow & develop at two spots.

Hunt believes Pryor "will need to be better at taking on double teams as a pro."

PRYOR'S ROOTS

Pryor obtained a Bachelor's degree in Communications with a focus on broadcast journalism from Bowie State.  He attributes his success to his father, Anthony, and brother Justin — both played a significant role in his journey. Pryor hails from Baltimore.  "I'm definitely a family-oriented person," Pryor said. "At the end of the day, my end goal, I want to be just a family man and be able to take care of my family."  He told HBCU Legends how his family members are "excited and surprised" about his success.

The defender from Bowie State is known as the Bulldog's Superman on the field, but outside of the game, he has a mild-mannered personality more akin to Clark Kent.  Any of the NFL's 32 teams would be lucky to select him in the draft or as an undrafted rookie free agent.  They would gain a humble, intelligent, saxophonist, and passionate defensive end who tends to be introverted.  Yet, he has the potential to one day become a Pro Bowler or All-Pro caliber player.

THE 'UNDERDOG' IS READY

"I'm definitely grateful for the opportunity and ready to show everything that I've worked for up to this point.  For most of my career, I felt like I'd been overlooked or I was the underdog.  So to come into a situation like to have to earn my spot wouldn't be nothing or unfamiliar to me."

As Eddie Robinson once said about Doug Williams: "All he needs is an opportunity." So does Joshua Pryor. Will they pick him in this weekend's draft?

We shall see.