Evan Prater on Switch to Wide Receiver: 'Help The Team in Whatever Way Possible'

UC football quarterback turned wide receiver Evan Prater met with the media for the first time since making that position switch on Wednesday.

Prater was open about the change, describing a nagging shoulder injury that left him with a decision to make on playing this season.

"So all throughout the spring, I guess halfway through the season last year, my shoulder started bothering me," Prater explained. "And over time it kept getting worse and worse once the season was over, I kept trying to rehab it, spring came was trying to throw the ball in spring, couldn't do it. And kind of just got with athletic trainers. Rehab, rehab, never really got better. So went to talk to the coaches and it was kind of just get surgery or try to fix it or try to switch positions.

"At that point in time. All I wanted to do was kind of be able to get on the field and help the team in whatever way possible I could. And so, Coach Satt, Coach Thomas, Coach Glenn, Coach (Vijay) Stingley. They just gave me the opportunity to come out here and play receiver and kind of just do what I can to benefit the team."

The redshirt junior was clearly affected by that shoulder issue last year and through the spring. Prater struggled with his 2022 accuracy, producing 423 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception on a 53% completion rate.

That amounted to a 26.9 ESPN QBR and an 0-2 record as a starter. Now, he gets to help boost Emory Jones' QBR as a pass catcher this coming season. Prater rounds out a wide receiver room that's greatly improved since the spring practice slate.

Check out more from Prater via Bearcat Journal's presser recording.