ENGLEWOOD — Adam Prentice was unemployed in August as a newlywed husband with a pregnant wife when a call from the Broncos changed everything.

“It was just kind of crazy,” Prentice recalled from his locker room stall at Broncos Park. “I knew once training camp started, if I got an opportunity, it would be kind of rapid fire. Let’s roll.”

Prentice attended a tryout in Denver after starting fullback Michael Burton went on injured reserve (hamstring). Prentice earned a Broncos roster spot, and four months later, he was named a first-team alternate in the Pro Bowl Games. Prentice is thankful for plenty of blessings this holiday season.

“You look at football as a whole and it’s provided me with a lot of opportunity. For me and my family. It’s given me a lot, and I can be nothing but grateful,” Prentice told The Denver Gazette. “This year, having been at home, and not knowing what my future looked like. Then coming here and being part of this team and being with these guys. … I know I’m really grateful to be here.”

Prentice, in his fifth NFL season, has set career-best marks in carries (10) and rushing yards (44) — with an 18-yard scamper against the Raiders. He’s been a monster on third down. Prentice enters the regular season finale with seven rushes and three catches that resulted in first downs.

His highlight tape in run blocking and pass protection? More impressive.

“He’s done a great job. I think Adam has provided a lot of spark at certain times,” right tackle Mike McGlinchey said. “Obviously, he’s a bruiser in our run game, and we’ve seen him catch the ball and run the ball a few times. Huge plays for us moving the chains. He’s such a valuable piece of our offense. I’m so excited for him and the year that he’s having.”

Trey McBride knew it all along.

The highest-paid NFL tight end (four years, $76 million) is a former college teammate of Prentice at Colorado State (2018-20). McBride, now in his fourth season with the Cardinals, recalled Prentice being “the heartbeat” of their teams at CSU.

“First of all, he’s a tremendous person. A great teammate. One of those guys you can always count on to give max effort and do the right thing,” McBride told The Denver Gazette in a recent phone interview. “I loved Adam as a teammate and it’s no surprise to me the success that he’s having. Just because of the work ethic and the type of player and person he was. … He might not have had the best stats (at CSU), but he was on all the special teams. The strongest guy in the weight room.

“He was a guy that a lot of people looked up to because of the presence that he brought.”

Prentice earned a roster spot with the Saints after being undrafted. However, following the 2024 season in New Orleans, his one-year contract was not extended. Prentice was a free agent. He returned to his home in Wyoming with his wife, Taylor, pondering his next move.

He found a silver lining.

“I was just working out in the morning. When I was done, I would hang out with my wife. She was pregnant at the time. Our son, Henry, was born five weeks ago,” Prentice said. “So, I was helping her with that and just finding ways to stay busy. But also enjoying the extra time that I wouldn’t have. We had just gotten married in February. … In this business, you don’t really get that extra time, especially in the offseason.

“It really taught me to appreciate the time that I did have with my wife and cherish these opportunities more.”

Finally, a call from the Broncos.

“It was very convenient being able just to drive down I-25 and be here,” Prentice said. “It’s been really good.”

Prentice is especially grateful for his game day experience in Denver. He met Taylor as students at CSU and her family lives in Colorado. Many of his CSU friends are lifelong Broncos fans. The Prentice family is a short direct flight away in California.

“I’ve fortunately had somebody at every game,” Prentice said. “All the home games. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Prentice is not taking this historic Broncos season (13-3) for granted. They can clinch the No. 1 overall playoff seed with a victory in Week 18 against the Chargers.

“You never know when you’re going to be on a team with this kind of run,” Prentice said. “Of course, unfortunately, I’ve been on some of the losing ends in the last few years. You never know what the future holds. You’ve got to cherish these winning teams and these moments. Embrace the opportunity you have to chase the No. 1 seed and the Super Bowl. It’s just embracing that, because you could very well go from a year like this to not having it again.”