Putting Prater at QB

Proviso West's Kyle Prater.
(Scott Powers/For the Sun-Times News Group)

Font Size

Email

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

Proviso West's Kyle Prater is the type of player you want to see have the football as much as possible.

But as a wide receiver that's easier said than done. Then again, you can always put him behind center.

Prater, one of the top players in the Class of 2010, showed he is capable of playing quarterback — at least at the high school level — Saturday at the Downers Grove South 7-on-7 Passing Challenge.

"I'm trying to get some snaps,'' said Prater, who displayed a strong arm and accuracy on some throws. "I want to get that ball in my hands as much as we can.''

The 6-5, 205-pound Prater is one of the most sought-after players in the country. He has scholarship offers from Illinois, Southern California, Notre Dame, Alabama, Miami, Oklahoma, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee, Northwestern, Arkansas and Auburn.

Prater caught 60 passes for more than 940 yards and nine touchdowns last year as a junior. He is being recruited as a receiver, but some of the schools in pursuit of him are aware that he is going to see some action at quarterback this season.

"A couple of them do (know I will play quarterback),'' Prater said. "As a receiver you want to catch the ball, but I'll do anything for my team. ... When I get to the college ranks, I'm going to play wide receiver and I'm always working on my game. I'm going play mostly wideout this season anyways.''

Proviso West hasn't had a winning season since 1994 and is 8-19 in the past three seasons. But reaching the playoffs is a goal for Prater, a vocal leader for the Panthers.

"I just want to get our team into the playoffs; it's something that's never been done,'' Prater said. "I got team goals and I put individual goals next. My goals are to make plays for the team.''

Here is a video of Prater playing quarterback. But be sure to check out the final highlight of him making a leaping catch over a defender.