Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Emmanuel Pregnon's business decision pays off

Emmanuel Pregnon was close to turning professional after playing at USC in 2023 and 2024, starting every game but one at left guard, making second-team All-Big Ten in 2024 and being invited to the East-West Shrine Game.

But he made a business decision, and it turned out to be pretty astute.

With one more year of college eligibility left (the Denver, Colo., native played one year at Wyoming and two at USC), Pregnon decided to put the NFL on hold for another year and entered the transfer portal.

Oregon came calling, Pregnon went to Eugene instead of the draft and he had another outstanding college season, starting all 15 games to lead the Ducks to the College Football Playoff semifinals and making first-team AP All-American.

Pregnon also made, according

to one estimate, $1.1 million with the Ducks, just a bit less than the $1.242 million he's making as the Jacksonville Jaguars' third-round pick.

And here's where his decision really paid off: Pregnon (6 feet 5, 318 pounds) will be the starting left guard on Sept. 13 at EverBank Stadium when the Jaguars open the season against the Cleveland Browns. He made a strong case for being the top-performing rookie in training camp and the Jaguars have been so impressed with Pregnon that he didn't suit up for the final two preseason games.

The coaching staff saw all it needed to see from camp, joint practices and the first preseason game.

Trevor Lawrence: Pregnon 'plays hard'

Coach Liam Coensaid one play Pregnon made in the joint practice against the Tampa Bay Bucs stood out in his mind.

"He drove somebody down the field a good bit and finished," Coen said. "I didn't feel like out there it was too big for him. I didn't feel like there was a physical mismatch or a mental ‘man, this is too fast for me.’ I've been pleased with his development thus far, and hopefully, he can continue to trend up.”

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who will take opening day snaps with a rookie among the O-line starters for the first time since Anton Harrison in 2023, is sold on Pregnon.

"I think he's done an awesome job," Lawrence said. "He plays hard, he's huge, he's strong, you can tell he cares. He plays super hard. I think that's the first thing you notice. And then mentally, it's not been too much for him. Obviously, he is a rookie and there's still a lot to learn … but as far as knowing what he's doing and playing hard, he's got that down.

"I think he's protected well. He's been moving people in the run game. He's athletic. He's done an awesome job, so I think we got a bunch of guys up front that can play and play well and I love what I'm seeing from E-man.”

Pregnon says he'll make his 'own narrative'

Pregnon said starting and playing in the regular season is "the next mission."

"It's coming into work every day and just keeping my head down, staying focused and doing what the team is asking me," he said. "I am willing to earn whatever it takes to be a part of this team and do my part."

Pregnon also got high praise from former Jaguars All-Pro Leon Searcy, who said on 1010-XL radio that Pregnon has "dog in him" ― high praise from one of the best offensive linemen in team history.

Pregnon said he's flattered but it's a designation he will have to continue to earn.

"It's that attitude and in that mentality … it really all stems from," he said. "I would say personally [it's] really not caring. In a world full of titles and people that try to make a narrative for you, you create your own narrative and you make your own story. You don't let nobody tell you what that story is going to look like."

Pregnon credits his veteran teammates

Pregnon said being between Anton Harrison at left tackle and Robert Hainsey at center is also a huge help for any rookie lineman.

"Great veteran leaders," he said. "Both great guys, phenomenal guys. Great communicators. They're always communicating, telling me what the standard is, how things should be done, how we should orient ourselves, or what my mind should be going into, whether we're in meetings, on the field, doing some type of walkthroughs. I just appreciate those guys so much because I know that might not be the reality for a lot of guys in this league and this business. So, I am so grateful."

Pregnon has had an interesting path to the NFL. He played high school football in Denver, then went to Wyoming to USC and then to Oregon. He played in pro-style offenses at every step and said that's prepared him well for the Jaguars.

Pregnon also said playing at three colleges taught him to adapt to change.

"I would say the biggest thing I took with me along my journey in my college career was adaptation," he said. "Being able to adapt to new environments is probably the biggest thing. I feel like I grew in so many ways, being able to adapt and adjust to not just survive but thrive in competition."

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Emmanuel Pregnon's business decision pays off