Prunty was one of the many cornerbacks to get plenty of reps Saturday. He lined up across from both A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs early in team practice periods.
He also got work against some of the backup receivers, making a highlight-reel interception on a Tommy DeVito deep ball intended for rookie receiver Cameron Dorner.
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“Every play I’m always expecting the ball to come my way … soon as I was on body with my man, I looked back for the ball, I seen his eyes going so I looked up, seen the ball in the air and I [got the interception],” Prunty said.
Prunty played six years of college football, spending time at Kansas (2020-21) and North Carolina A&T (2022-24) before a year at Wake Forest (2025). In his lone season with the Demon Deacons, he logged 40 tackles and an interception, and was a third-team All-ACC selection.
Jones doesn’t think Prunty’s extended college career has made a difference, but said the young cornerback has come in ready to work.
“Ever since he came into the room and everything, he’s trying to learn the defense when it comes down to it,” Jones said. “Asking the vets, how do we see this coverage, how do we see different formations and everything, and whatever we learn in the classroom, he applies it to the field.”
Prunty has competition if he wants to move up. At the top of that list is Charles Woods, who’s been taking first-team reps in place of Davis.
Woods was claimed off waivers ahead of last season, totaling 12 tackles and a pass deflection while ranking fifth among Patriots’ corners in defensive snaps played (11.5 percent).
He is confident in his improvements headed into this campaign.
“I took a next step that my coaches wanted to see this offseason,” Woods said Friday. “I’ve honed down on the playbook, honed down on details, and I’ve just been taking a step every day.”
Outside of the starters and Woods, the only returning corner to play for the Patriots last season was Kobee Minor (39, 3.8 percent). The Patriots signed veteran Kindle Vildor this offseason and Marcellas Dial Jr., a 2024 sixth-round pick, is back after missing last season with a torn ACL.
Each player got their fair share of reps against the offense’s top unit, whether for scout team or on defensive emphasis periods. Even covering receivers Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams has been an opportunity to sharpen their skills.
The progression of the depth players in the group is important, especially considering the situations of Gonzalez and Davis.
Gonzalez is in the middle of contract negotiations. While he’s been a full participant outside of Saturday, negotiations could sour. There’s also no telling when Davis will be back.
But either of them not being present around cutdown day at the end of this month is purely a hypothetical. The Patriots’ depth players have seized the additional reps and hope to take advantage.
“I think any time I’m out here on this field, it’s an opportunity,” Woods said. “It’s a million guys that want to be on this field, so anytime I step up and take this grass, I take full advantage of it.”
Avery Hill can be reached at avery.hill@globe.com.