2024 NFL Draft Profile: Tulane QB Michael Pratt

Now that four-year Tulane starter has officially declared for the NFL Draft, the G5 likely has its best candidate for an early QB selection. That's largely thanks to Pratt spearheading Tulane football's dramatic turnaround under Willie Fritz in the last two seasons. Pratt has been on Draft radars for much of that time, even earning the #7 QB spot on Mel Kiper's Big Board. 

With a few more opportunities to bolster his status over the next few months, here's what to know about the Boca Raton native leading up to the Draft. 

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Background

Measurements: 6'3" 220 pounds

Coming out of Deerfield Beach High School, Prat was overlooked by many of the larger programs as a three-star recruit (per 247Sports). He quickly found a home with the Green Wave, however, making nine starts in 2020 as a true freshman.

After winning eight combined games in 2020 and 2021, the Tulane Green Wave hit a stride they hadn't found since 1998. Behind Pratt, Tulane rattled off back-to-back seasons with at least 11 wins, winning the American Conference in 2022. Tulane also went on to win the Cotton Bowl 46-45 over USC as the G5's representative in the New Year's Six. In that monumental victory, Pratt threw two touchdowns with no interceptions and 234 yards. He also rushed for 83 yards.

In 2023, Pratt was the AAC Offensive Player of the Year, leading the Green Wave to an 11-3 record and another appearance in the AAC title game. Tulane lost to SMU this time around. Pratt would finish his final college campaign with 22 passing touchdowns and five interceptions. He also had a career-best completion percentage of 65.4 with 2406 yards through the air. 

Pratt battled a handful of injuries throughout his time in college, including a knee issue that caused him to opt out of Tulane's Military Bowl appearance this year.

The Strengths

Pratt's biggest strength has always been making the big play. With 119 touchdowns responsible for, Pratt is tied with Houston great Clayton Tune for second in AAC history. Pratt also averaged over seven yards per play in college. 

In every single game of his college career, Pratt had at least one pass play go for at least 20 yards. in 2023, he had a completion of at least 38 yards in ten of the 11 games he played in. 

"That's one of his strengths," Tulane offensive coordinator Slade Nagle said of Pratt's deep ball capabilities this season. "I think he throws the ball down the field very well. We were a little limited as the season went on because of injuries late in the season that handcuffed us a little bit. But that's always been a focal point of our offense...When we get the opportunities, take shots down field and try and create explosive plays...That's one of Mike's strengths. He's got good arm strength. He throws a good accurate ball down the field."