Helix now boasts NFL quintet after Pruitt inks with Saints
- Updated: May 16, 2016
2016 EAST COUNTY ALUMNI – LOCAL FOOTBALL PROS
By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
LA MESA (5-16-16) — Welcome to the club. Another Helix alum has signed with the NFL. No other San Diego County school has as many players (5) on the current rosters.
The latest member of the elite is JIMMY PRUITT, a Helix/San Jose State graduate, who has signed the dotted line with the New Orleans Saints following a three-day rookie minicamp.
In addition to his work at corner, Pruitt has also seen time at safety with the Spartans. The 6-foot, 203 pounder picked off 6 total passes over the course of his college career, including 2 this past season (one of which was returned for a touchdown). He registered 51 tackles.
Pruitt was a three-year starter with the Spartans, earning honorable mention all-Mountain Wes Conference as a junior and senior.
At the NFL combine, Pruitt ran the 40 yard dash in 4.73 seconds and bench pressed 19 reps.
Other members of the Helix cast currently on pro squads include JAMAR TAYLOR (Boise State-Miami Dolphins/Cleveland Browns), quarterback standout ALEX SMITH (12-year veteran with the 49ers, now with the Kansas City Chiefs), tight end LEVINE TOILOLO (Stanford-Atlanta Falcons, and REGGIE BUSH (USC-New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions and the 49ers, currently nursing a knee injury).
Bush is presently a free agent who rushed for 5,493 yards. He has also has caught 470 passes for 3,508 yards and scored 53 touchdowns.
A one-time Pro Bowler, the 30-year old Smith has completed 24,334 yards and has thrown for 142 touchdowns as an NFL pro with the San Francisco 49ers, who drafted Smith No. 1 overall in 2005, and now Kansas City Chiefs.
Taylor was traded to the Browns during the 2016 draft. He has logged 82 tackles during his pro career and should be a factor for the Cleveland secondary. He was previously a standout at Boise State.
The 6-foot-8, 265 pound Toilolo could establish himself as one of the top tight ends for the Falcons. His game is not all about catching passes, which he has 49 grabs for 339 yards and 4 touchdowns. His career will center around his ability to block, which could easily be considered his number one strength.
