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Goal No. 9: ELIMINATE MISTAKES. Don't beat yourself.
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#9 Byron Pringle |
Position: Wide Receiver Previous College: Butler Community College Projection: Starter Status: On Scholarship |
Byron Pringle (b. Nov. 17, 1993) is a dynamic wide receiver who will compete immediately for playing time after a solid season in the community college ranks in 2015. He earned preseason All-Big 12 honors from Phil Steele.
He was the breakout star of the 2016 spring game, posting more all-purpose yardage than any other Wildcat with nine catches for 163 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown from Joe Hubener, and a 30-yard kick return for Purple.
Pringle played under head coach Mike DePue at Robinson High School, where he was a second-team Class 5A All-Florida selection after catching 25 passes for 391 yards and seven touchdowns in his senior season.
He also earned first-team All-Hillsborough County honors after rushing for 162 yards on 13 carries and two scores, while he also recorded four interceptions and three fumble recoveries on defense.
Pringle returned 11 punts for 204 yards (an 18.5-yard average) and had 394 yards on 11 kickoff returns (35.8 yards per return) while scoring four touchdowns that year, as well.
His return total included a 99-yard touchdown, while he had a 95-yard interception return for a score in a playoff loss to Tampa Jesuit in the regional semifinals. He later participated in the Hillsborough County All-Star Game.
Pringle was voted the player of the game at the inaugural Blue-Gray National High School Classic after he had six catches for 104 yards, 75 kickoff-return yards and 10 rushing yards (189 all-purpose) at Raymond James Stadium.
He played one season under head coach Tim Schaffner at Butler Community College, where he was rated the 44th-best community college prospect — including the No. 9 wide receiver — by ESPN. He also was regarded as one of the top 100 community college prospects in the class of 2016 by Rivals.com and Scout.com.
Pringle accumulated 28 receptions for 432 yards (15.4 yards per catch) and nine touchdowns en route to second-team All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) honors.
His touchdown total was tied for 11th nationally. He recorded a season-long 72-yard touchdown against Iowa Central, while he also had six receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns two weeks later at Coffeyville.
Pringle ended his Butler career on a high note by catching four passes — including three touchdown receptions — and totaling 100 yards at Ellsworth. He also excelled in kick returns, averaging 44.3 yards on three returns, featuring a 93-yard touchdown return against Iowa Central.
He helped the Grizzlies to win the KJCCC and finish fifth in the final National Junior College Athletic Association poll with a 9-2 record. Watch Pringle's JUCO highlights below: