In an emotional conference call, King told Green Bay reporters the Packers are getting a hungry and motivated player who wants to silence the doubters after an exhausting and stressful three-day wait that the 5-foot-11, 187-pound cornerback called “one of the toughest things I’ve mentally had to endure in my life.”
King recognized Green Bay is a good place for him with numerous examples of starting-caliber players who have blossomed after humbling entries into the league. Right at the top of that list is former Kentucky cornerback Carrington Valentine, a 2023 seventh-round pick who started 12 games for the Packers last season.
A year prior that, King’s former Nittany Lion teammate Rasheed Walker also came to Green Bay as a seventh-round pick before starting 17 games (including playoffs) at left tackle for the Packers last season.
“Seeing all the names being picked ahead of you, just enduring all that … I felt like it put a chip on my shoulder, a permanent chip on my shoulder that I gotta keep there,” King said. “I felt like the Packers are going to get one of the most competitive guys in the country, a tough corner, physical corner who’s going to give 100% effort around the field at all times and make as many plays as I possibly can by doing it at 100%.”
Pratt also experienced a lengthy wait despite receiving a fourth-round grade from NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein. A four-year starter at Tulane, the 6-foot-2, 213-pound quarterback threw for a program-record 9,603 yards with 90 touchdowns and 26 interceptions. He also rushed for 28 touchdowns over 46 collegiate games.
Pratt was honored as the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 2,406 yards, 22 TDs and five INTs this past year. Yet, Pratt was forced to wait until the Packers made him the 11th and final quarterback selected in this year’s draft.
Fortunately, Pratt had some close friends and family to keep him company.
“I was in the pool with a bunch of my buddies and family members and my agent came out with the phone,” said Pratt, who’s the first Tulane quarterback to be drafted in 20 years.
“Getting the call and getting to talk to the coaches to tell me where I’m going, just overwhelming joy and finally some peace. It’s been a long day but just super fired-up and can’t wait to get up there and can’t wait to get back to football. Can’t wait to compete, can’t wait to be a…
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