USC receiver Prater transfers to Northwestern

As had been rumored for weeks, a former high school all-American wide receiver from Chicago is coming home to join Northwestern’s high-powered offense.

Wildcats head football coach Pat Fitzgerald announced Saturday that 6-foot-5, 215-pound receiver Kyle Prater, who starred at Proviso West, is transferring from the University of Southern California.

“We’re extremely excited for Kyle to be able to come home,” Fitzgerald said. “He is a tremendous young man from a great family and is a product of a high school program we really respect in Proviso West. Kyle’s decision to attend Northwestern made sense for everyone involved and we’re looking forward to him contributing to our program on and off the field.”

A standout wide receiver during his high school career, Prater was named a Parade and Super Prep all-American as well as the Super Prep All-Midwest Offensive MVP in 2009.

Rivals.com listed him as the No. 1 receiver and No. 3 overall high school recruit in 2010.

As a senior, the Hillside native collected 64 receptions for 1,151 yards (18.0 yards per catch) with 13 touchdowns, building on a junior season in which he caught 60 balls for 948 yards and nine scores.

Prater redshirted his freshman season at USC and battled injuries in 2011, catching just one pass.

“This is one of the best days in my life for me and my family and I’m just happy to be back close to home, my family and my support group,” Prater said. “I’d like to thank USC and their administration for my release. I have the utmost respect for USC and the coaching staff, players, fans and everybody I was in touch with there.”