Auburn CB Nehemiah Pritchett drafted No. 136 overall by the Seattle Seahawks
Multi-year starter at corner for Auburn, Nehemiah Pritchett, has been drafted in the 5th round by the Seattle Seahawks. Pritchett is the No. 136 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
As a recruit
On3 Industry Ranking (2019 Recruiting Class): No. 486 nationally, No. 45 CB, No. 18 Alabama
Pritchett played his high school football at Jackson High School in Jackson, Ala., where he was a versatile athlete playing both sides of the ball. He earned Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game honors and Class 5A ASWA all-state honors. He lettered in football and baseball, earning first-team all-state honors as an outfielder. Pritchett chose Auburn over Nebraska, Virginia Tech, Ole Miss and others.
Pritchett chose Auburn after a late offer from the Tigers coming off of an impressive camp performance.
Pritchett at Auburn
Pritchett tallied 115 tackles, five tackles for loss and three interceptions and 24 pass deflections during his five years at Auburn. He recorded over 20 tackles in each of his last four seasons, and picked of passes in three of his last four seasons with the Tigers.
Games of note: In 2020, Pritchett’s interception came against LSU. He tallied three pass breakups in the win against Arkansas. In 2021 he notched six tackles in the loss at Penn State. In 2022, Pritchett was big in the win at home over Texas A&M notching 2 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass breakup, and 1 forced fumble.
PFF Grades/NFL Combine
According to Pro Football Focus, Pritchett only allowed receptions on 46.2 percent of targets in 2023, and only allowed 25 total yards after catch on the season. He did miss three games due to injury last season. Pritchett’s most disruptive season came in 2020, breaking up 10 passes that season.
Pritchett attended the NFL Combine and ran a 4.36 40-yard dash and jumped 34.5″ on the vertical jump. James measured in at 6-foot and 190 pounds. His 40-yard dash time was tied for 9th among all participants at the combine.
Strengths and weaknesses
STRENGTHS
- Fluid mover with decent speed and his length allows him to cover effectively downfield
- Has good awareness and quick feet. Fluid backpedal, aggressive attacking the receiver from the snap, and flashes spectacular ball skills.
- Has the length and speed to emerge as a starter two or three years down the line.
- Anticipation skills and explosive, downhill burst could make him a star in zone-based scheme.
- Effective out of the slot, showing the instincts and quickness to mirror when the receiver has a two-way go. Pritchett has good instincts and awareness when playing off, showing good route recognition and anticipation when breaking on the ball.
- Has a nice, low backpedal and shows the click-and-close ability to play off his man. Pritchett also has the good long speed to turn and run as a press coverage guy and the powerful hands to disrupt receivers early in the route
WEAKNESSES
- Tends to play conservatively and give too much cushion when playing off.
- Isn’t great in route recognition when he’s facing the action, is hesitant and susceptible to double moves, and too often gets unnecessarily handsy when playing trail position
- Inconsistent getting off of blocks. Can be a step slow to react when a quarterback comes back to his side of the field late in progression.
