"He is one of our better practice players. Without a doubt he practices with high energy. He comes out and takes advantage of every repetition he gets. I think he has definitely done what you want from a senior to try and set the tempo at practice and hope the others follow his lead," Petri said.
Considering how many young players Pryor had watching him on both sides of the ball, that work ethic could pay big dividends in future years if young players follow his lead.
"We hope they do. We will find out this spring," Petri said. "You hope that they realize here is a guy who has some accolades, but he continues to work hard.
"He is probably our hardest worker, or right at it. I don't want to slight anyone else, but he works to get better every day. When one of your best players does that, it has to make an impression on younger players and shows them what it takes to become the same kind of player he is."
Redshirt freshman center Matt Smith often went against Pryor in practice and he certainly noticed what Pryor did.
"Pryor is real good. He's pretty much like a brick wall. You are not going to be able to move him very easily," Smith said. "If you don't practice your best, he really makes you look bad."
Pryor wasn't sure what his UK career would be like when he came to Kentucky after a stellar prep career at Louisville Eastern.
"It was kind of funny. I really didn't know what to expect. All I knew is that I was going to work hard and make new friends and you never know what kind team you will have," Pryor said. "Growing up and never having a chance to be on a winning team and never being on a team that won a championship or being able to get a ring or trophy, that was hard. To be here and go to three bowls and already win two is one of best accomplishments of my life so far.
"I have no regrets no matter what happens in the future. Three has been a lot of buzz and talk about the next level. But it's very important for me to finish this last game very good and then work out and do my best in all-star games or whatever once the season does end. But nothing matters more to me right now than beating East Carolina."
