08/10/2012 9:06 PM ET
Overlooked Pratt stars in the slot for Rutgers
Reliable wideout overshadowed by teammates
By Matt Sugam / SNY.tv
Quron Pratt is Rutgers' leading returning receiver with 32 catches in a passing offense that relied heavily on current NFL star Mohamed Sanu. (AP)

PISCATAWAY -- Lost behind the NFL prototypes Brandon Coleman and Mark Harrison, the return of Jeremy Deering to wide receiver and a Tim Wright that's looking like his old, pre-devastating knee injury self, there's Quron Pratt.

Quietly, Pratt's Rutgers' leading returning receiver with 32 catches in a passing offense that relied heavily on Mohamed Sanu.

Yet Pratt -- who's found a role as a slot receiver -- is overlooked. And while he insists he doesn't see it that way, it's become the case.

"I do feel like he's under looked," fellow receiver Mark Harrison said following Rutgers fifth practice. "He doesn't get the credit that he does deserve. It's hard playing slot. You got to know a lot."

And Pratt does. Football intelligence is one of the 6-foot, 190-pound receivers strengths.

"I'm smart," Pratt said when asked what his biggest attributes as a player were.

"Being versatile is very key in this offense. To know different concepts, where the ball is going to be thrown, what defense is running, so being smart in this offense is key."

One thing that's hindered Pratt is injuries. While he made it through last season unscathed, his first two seasons were hampered by injuries.

While he said he had a minor hamstring injury in the spring, he feels the injuries are a thing of the past. He also feels more ready for the wear and tear that will come from the upcoming season.

"Just working hard in the weight room - that helped a lot [coming back from injury]," Pratt said. "With [strength and conditioning] coach [Jeremy] Cole and his staff doing a great job in the weight room and the summer program just getting bigger and stronger -- just trying to get my body healthy."

Which is something his quarterback -- whether it be Chas Dodd or Gary Nova -- would be happy to see.

"That's [a slot receiver] like a quarterback's best friend right there because it's a mismatch every time," Nova said. "When you find him, he's got sure hands - he doesn't drop many passes -- and like I said, he's a big play receiver when he gets the ball in his hands."

The more often that happens, the less overlooked he'll be. And despite Pratt not concerning himself about where on the radar he is when it comes to Rutgers' receivers, he's not the first that comes to mind.

While that would motivate some players, that's not the case for the Palmyra, NJ native.

"I'm not here to prove myself really. I'm just here to play ball and win. Win a championship. That's the main focus right now," Pratt said. "I have other motivations for myself that I keep personally, but I'm just going out everyday competing and trying my best."

In the end, being under the radar may be what's best for Pratt.

"I think it's better for him to not get all that publicity and stuff," Nova said. "He just comes out and he works hard everyday and at the end of the day we know what kind of player he is and we know what we need out of him this year."

Matt Sugam is a contributor to SNY.tv. Follow him on Twitter @MattSugam.
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