Prater transfers to Northwestern

Published Jan. 28, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Wide receiver Kyle Prater has transferred to Northwestern from Southern California, the Wildcats said Saturday.

A Chicago-area product, Prater redshirted as a freshman and had just one catch for 6 yards last year in an injury-plagued season.

''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. ''This Northwestern degree will take me far and help me become a better person. The dynamics of the school and the team have shown me a lot and I'm just happy to be a Wildcat.''

A high school All-American at suburban Proviso West High School, Prater had 64 receptions for 1,151 yards and 13 touchdowns during his senior year in 2009. As a junior, he had 60 receptions for 948 yards and nine TDs.

''He is a tremendous young man from a great family and is a product of a high school program we really respect,'' Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald said. ''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.''

Prater's exact eligibility still has to be resolved by the NCAA. He could play in 2012 and have three years or sit out this season and have two years of eligibility beginning in 2013.