Boston College Vs. Northwestern: USC Transfer Kyle Prater Cleared To Play

Earlier this month, we took a look at the case of Northwestern wide receiver and USC transfer Kyle Prater. Prater, the former top-ranked WR coming out of high school, petitioned the NCAA for a waiver which would allow him to play this season. On Tuesday, Northwestern received word that Prater will be eligible to play for the 'Cats in 2012.

"Northwestern wide receiver Kyle Prater, a Maywood, Ill., native who transferred to NU from Southern California earlier this year, will be eligible to compete for the Wildcats when the 2012 season opens on Sept. 1, the NCAA announced Tuesday.

Prater received a residence waiver from the NCAA allowing him to bypass the one-year wait period traditionally required of transfers in FBS football."

Goes without saying that Prater joins the Northwestern receiving corps with plenty of potential. You might take a look at career stats from his freshman year -- 1 catch, 6 yards -- and say "big deal." But Prater did battle thumb and hamstring issues last season and USC wasn't short of big, playmaking targets last season in Robert Woods and Marqise Lee.

Also, he's 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, giving Northwestern QB Kain Colter an enormous target that will help fill the void left by Jeremy Ebert (1,060 yards, 11 TDs). AND his nickname is "Megatron" so, yeah.

The addition of Prater makes an already talented Wildcats receiving corps that much stronger:

Senior Demetrius Fields came on very strong at the end of the season, including seven receptions for 73 yards in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. He is the most experienced receiver on the roster and the only returning starter, so to speak. Fields is more of a possession receiver. The deep threats will include Prater (who may be a more all-around, go-to receiver), Tony Jones, Christian Jones and Rashad Lawrence. All those receivers have had their moments fitting into Northwestern's short passing game.

Goes without saying that Boston College's young secondary will have their hands full when the Eagles travel to Evanston to take on the Wildcats.