|
|
 |
| SPONSOR ADVERTISEMENT |
|
In-Depth: Illinois Top 60
2010-01-27
In-Depth: Illinois Top 60
National Presence
Prater and others help put this year's class in Illinois on the map
When we were doing our rankings the first time around and making the decision to put Proviso West wide receiver Kyle Prater at five-stars and one of the top two receivers in the country, the question was asked "when was the last time the top receiver was from Illinois?" It has been awhile, and I don't know the exact answer, but I thought back through my mental rolodex of names. Recently, the state has had four-star receivers like Brandon Green and Jason Avant, but the last time one of the very best in the country was catching passes in the Land of Lincoln may have been Tai Streets, who was a three-sport star at Harvey Thornton before signing with Michigan and going on to play in the NFL.
No matter what the history, Prater is a rarity for the state and the nation. His height, route running, incredible ball skills and maybe above all, his character and work ethic all add up into the total package. I've heard comparisons to all of the NFL's best, with names like Moss and Fitzgerald being thrown around. We cannot know now if he will achieve what those players have, but Prater does combine elements of them in his game. As he rises through the college ranks, I'm sure I will think back to the day he committed each time I watch him on television. The entire school turned out. It was a spectacle for a school not accustomed to having an athlete recruited to the highest level. Every faculty member and adminstrator spoke glowingly of him. It was all genuine and none of it had to do with catching passes. As rare as his football ability is, what he is off the field is just as impressive and that has made him a joy to cover. Of course, opposing defensive backs would not say the same.
Prater was just one Illinois recruit who was selected into an All-Star game and was a national level recruit. Palatine Fremd offensive lineman Christian Lombard impressed the Scout.com staff at the Army Game and Corey Cooper did the same at the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl. Johnsburg tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz, another Army Bowl participant, is a four-star and one of the top players at his position in the country. The last time the state had a tight end rated that highly was Tony Moeaki, from Wheaton Warrenville South who went on to star at Iowa, where Fiedorowicz is headed. |
|
