Proviso West's Prater lands his 17th offer

Proviso West wide receiver Kyle Prater is making school history. On Thursday, representatives from Stanford's football team went to the Hillside school and offered Prater a scholarship.

The Stanford offer marked the 17th scholarship offer for the Sun-Times All-Area player.

The 6-4, 204-pound junior has received offers from every Big Ten school, Stanford, Notre Dame (coach Charlie Weis has visited Proviso West four times), Cincinnati and Arizona to name a few.

"When I was offered [by Stanford], it was overwhelming," said Prater, who opted not to play basketball for the Panthers this winter and instead concentrate on working out for football. "I never knew they'd come here and offer."

Prater has been working out this winter with teammates Darryl Johnson, a cornerback/wide receiver and 6-5 receiver Julius Shelby.

According to athletic director Mark Schneider, he does not recall if a Proviso West athlete has ever been offered by the Cardinal in recent memory. Proviso West students have gone to Stanford in the past, but not for athletics.

Prater said he will begin campus visits in September, but will take his time in making a decision.

"I was always working hard and I was always putting my time in, but I never thought it would bring all this attention," Prater said. "There are a couple schools where I already feel [comfortable], but I want to base my decision on my visits and what the environment of the school is like."