News:Kyle Prater missed spring practice due to an undisclosed injury, Inside Northwestern reports.
Analysis:Kyle Prater was a high-profile transfer from USC (where many analysts had him as a top-five recruit), but he didn't get much playing time last season and had just ten receptions. While this injury doesn't sound serious, it won't help him get more playing time by missing practice. He still has the size (6-5) to emerge as a red zone threat.
News:Kyle Prater had just one reception for four yards in Saturday's loss to Nebraska.
Analysis:Kyle Prater was a high profile transfer from USC (where many analysts had him as a top-five recruit), but he's been slowly integrated into Northwestern's offense. He's been targeted in the red zone several times, but has just seven receptions and no touchdowns. A Northwestern passing game that's been less productive than expected has limited his opportunities. Still, he's a player that could make a big impact in 2013.
Northwestern's Prater Catches Three Passes Against Vanderbilt
News:Kyle Prater caught three balls for 24 yards in the Wildcats' victory against Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Analysis:Kyle Prater's production improved from week one, in both catches and yards, but until the Wildcats find a consistent answer at the quarterback position, Prater's production, like their passing game, will be limited.
News:Kyle Prater had two receptions for 11 yards in Saturday's win over Syracuse. It was his debut for Northwestern.
Analysis:Kyle Prater could emerge with a larger role as the season progresses, especially in the red zone where his size (6-5) could make him a big factor.
News:Kyle Prater will be eligible to play in 2012, NUSports.com reports.
Analysis: It's difficult to imagine that Northwestern has ever had a higher rated prospect at receiver than Kyle Prater, who transferred from USC. The big wideout has a lot to prove, though, and Northwestern has quite a bit of depth at receiver. Prater's talent makes him a player to watch closely in all formats and perhaps draft late in Big Ten-only leagues, but his biggest impact for Northwestern might be made beyond 2012.
News: Highly-touted USC wide receiver Kyle Prater caught his first career pass in Saturday's night heartbreaking loss to Stanford.
Analysis: Let's hope this is the beginning of something for Prater, who has struggled to make an impact during his short time on campus.
News: USC redshirt freshman receiver Kyle Prater met with coach Lane Kiffin after the season opener in regards to playing time. Prater said that Kiffin told him to be consistent and his chance would come.
Analysis: Prater was a bit of a disappointment in fall camp. Many expected him to battle for a starting spot opposite Robert Woods, but he never made that kind of headway. As Kiffin indicated, though, there will most likely come a time when Prater gets an opportunity this season.
News: USC coaches are a bit disappointed in the development of sophomore wide receiver Kyle Prater, pointing to "freshman tendencies" that keep popping up.
Analysis: Coach Lane Kiffin said he was concerned with Prater's lack of consistency so far and had hoped he "would be farther along than he is." With a big-time battle for playing time at the receiver spot, those aren't comforting words from the head guy.
News: In the race to see who starts opposite Robert Woods at receiver for the USC Trojans, one name has fallen short of expectations -- Kyle Prater. Prater has not had the kind of start to fall camp that the coaching staff has envisioned and is now mired in a herd of receivers looking for playing time.
Analysis: It is disappointing on some levels that Prater didn't take the opportunity and run with it. Now he's got freshmen George Farmer, Marquise Lee and Victor Blackwell dogging him for playing time, as well as Brandon Carswell, who's having a great camp. We'll see who steps up and separates from the pack.
News: A lot is expected of incoming freshman wide receiver George Farmer, including beating out a herd of fellow receivers for the starting job this season. Farmer will be battling Senior Brandon Carswell, junior Brice Butler, sophomore Markeith Ambles and redshirt freshman Kyle Prater for playing time out wide.
Analysis: Farmer's talent is undeniable, but it's not a given he'll be the starter. The other receivers in the mix will have something to say about it. Still, barring injury, look for Farmer to make his presence felt in the receiving corps and help quarterback Matt Barkley plenty this season.
News: A look at the USC wide receiver group offers a few questions, including Kyle Prater's ability to stay healthy, highly-touted freshman George Farmer's ability to step in and play and Markeith Ambles' struggles off the field. Robert Woods is a top-tier wide out for the Trojans, but the question is who will join him?
Analysis: Every player mentioned has the talent and potential to be big-time receivers, particularly with QB Matt Barkley throwing it all over the place. The best case scenario has Prater and Farmer dialing in early and often to take the pressure off Woods.
News: ESPN's Bruce Feldman recently published a top 10 ranking of impact freshman and USC wide receiver George Farmer came in third place. Feldman writes "Farmer has blazing speed, and at 6-foot-2, 205 he has a very strong, sturdy frame to go with it. With him in the lineup, defenses will be seriously tested, having to cope with Farmer's speed and Woods' explosiveness at the same time."
Analysis: Farmer is from the same high school as Woods, but is just a bigger version by most accounts. While Kyle Prater is still an option, I would not be surprised if Farmer has the bigger impact.
News: According to head coach Lane Kiffin, Prater (hip) is expected to redshirt this year, Michael Lev of the Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: Prater was very impressive early in the offseason, but he has not been able to practice at full speed lately due to his injury. In Prater's absence, fellow freshman Robert Woods has stepped up and claimed the starting receiver role opposite senior Ronald Johnson. Expect Prater, a five-star recruit, to make a big impact down the road.
News: Prater (hip) has been limited in USC practices, the Orange County Register reports.
Analysis: This isn't likely to be a problem as far as his in-season availability goes, but Prater could use all the work he can get as he tries to distinguish himself among USC's loaded receiver lineup. The freshman is part of USC's super trio at wideout in the 2010 recruiting class, the other two being Robert Woods and Markeith Ambles.
News: Prater, says Michael Lev of the Orange County Register, has "a good chance at unseating Brice Butler as the team's starting wide receiver opposite Ronald Johnson" and could have the greatest impact of any freshman for the Trojans this fall, ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Lev says that with a 6-5 frame, Prater "will be a matchup nightmare for opponents," and "could have as big an impact this season as [Dillon] Baxter - perhaps even bigger."
