QB to join Warriors as walk-on
By Stephen Tsai
Quarterback Eric Prater, who spent the past few years in the U.S. Army Airborne Special Forces, will be joining the Rainbow Warriors as a walk-on this summer.
Prater is 6-2 and about 210 pounds.
Prater, who is 23, will have four years to play four UH seasons.
He was a pitcher at Lake Havasu (Wash.) High, with a fastball timed at 92 mph, before playing football as a senior.
He was on Northern Arizona's roster in 2010, but did not play in any games, before enlisting in the Army.
Prater has been attending spring practices as a spectator.
Here are his highlights: Prater video.
(C'mon, admit it, after that first throw you thought, "Wow.")
* * * * *
I ran into Alika Smith last night. His son Jalen is 6 feet 3. Jalen is in the eighth grade.
And the 2018 recruiting class begins to take shape …
The Warrior Beat
April 19th, 2014 at 8:23 am
mornin
April 19th, 2014 at 8:24 am
Top 5
Morning Tsaikos!
Welcome Mr. Prater.
April 19th, 2014 at 8:33 am
hello & goodbye!
April 19th, 2014 at 8:34 am
ST
Yes I did say "wow"
Would like to see him under pressure with multiple receivers. Strong arm.
April 19th, 2014 at 8:44 am
Great to see a veteran on the team.
April 19th, 2014 at 8:44 am
Gotta recruit em early. Looking at the rosters of some of the ILH intermediate football teams and saw a number of 7th and 8th graders in the 6.2 230 range.
April 19th, 2014 at 8:48 am
ST:
1st throw reminded me of Chad Kapanui who could throw the ball 65-80 yds standing flat footed.
strong arm - good footwork - accurate - tight spiral, but all this in high school
wonder how much was lost or gained after Special Forces?
but, this translates into one very special person as it takes much intelligence and strength and courage to be a Special Forces soldier - multi-tasking is second nature and enduring pain and suffering is all in a days work - Special Forces requires a soldier to be a master in 2 areas and all-around knowledge in all specialties of the team
enduring the beating that Schroder took his 1st season is child's play to a Special Forces soldier.
April 19th, 2014 at 8:50 am
I think "Freak's" son is going to be a basketball player.
He was wearing a "Melo" shirt.
April 19th, 2014 at 8:50 am
A-House:
The video is from a throwing session last year.
April 19th, 2014 at 8:52 am
Old School Dave:
You're correct there's a lot of tall, talented football players in Hawaii's middle schools. But enough about a certain Las Vegas high school's, uh, transfer program …
April 19th, 2014 at 8:55 am
I saw Beau Reilly's video. He looks to be pretty elusive and can run besides having a good arm.
April 19th, 2014 at 8:57 am
Prater appears to have a strong arm. I don't see on him the 2010 NAU roster, though. Perhaps he was a walk-on at NAU?
http://nauathletics.com/sports/fball/2010-11/roster
April 19th, 2014 at 8:57 am
GOOD MORNING HAWAII!
6'3" 8th grade? Wow!
April 19th, 2014 at 8:59 am
Haleakala:
yep, good to have a "vet" on the team tho' he is not the first, but the FIRST to be a "special forces" trained person
in my freshman year at UH, Ray Moore, former Marine, was the shot putter for UH - big, strong black guy - often wondered what happened to him - married with 2 young children - one evening we went to the original Golden Duck and he was having dinner with his family - I went up and enthusiastically greeted him and introduced myself to his wife and daughters - he looked a me funny and I turned around and noticed several older patrons starring at us - looked at them and said, "this is my friend" and continued talking
tho' we claim to be the "melting pot of the Pacific", there was and still is a "racist" attitude amongst certain people - IMHO, it's their loss!!!!!!!!!
April 19th, 2014 at 9:03 am
Did Prater play intramural football in the Army? Found this on You Tube playing in what appears to be a recreational league game while in the military.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGWzbNK4qHs
April 19th, 2014 at 9:05 am
good neighbor - thank you for he correction!!!
then, I, for one, am glad that he chose UH for school and football - this one is a keeper and will be a good one - also, fills in the "spots" in the QB rotation - will be quite a competition when Zwahlen arrives, but he will need 1 or 2 years to learn and be ready to compete
or, great competition with Reilly too!
Or, Trapasso can lure him to the "mound" if football does not work out
April 19th, 2014 at 9:06 am
15. I take that back. Those are high school highlights.
April 19th, 2014 at 9:11 am
shoko #15:
this surprises me as I was under the mistaken impression that the Army gave up intramural sports back in the mid 60s
we played "flag football", but nothing like the Army Ranger clip you found
it looked more like a college game
April 19th, 2014 at 9:12 am
15. Shoko
I think that's his high school highlights. He attended Lake Havasu HS, AZ and his jersey was #7.
April 19th, 2014 at 9:12 am
oops. responded too late
April 19th, 2014 at 9:14 am
LV: Living in AC all day and terrible tasting water, but that's just me. There are so many local transplants living in LV.
Although they deny doing this, I would not doubt that a certain school in Provo, Utah will or has contacted Mr.Zwahlen about playing for the "mother land."
April 19th, 2014 at 9:16 am
No, those are highlights before joining the Army while attending Lake Havasu high school in Arizona.
However, there is a recreational football league in the military like this one Marine sergeant who wanted to play in college but was told he would lose a year of eligibility for playing in recreational league.
http://www.christianpost.com/news/former-marine-sgt-gets-to-pursue-college-football-dream-after-ncaa-rule-almost-kills-it-103543/
April 19th, 2014 at 9:16 am
Video looks recent. Nice arm. Like his long throws.
April 19th, 2014 at 9:20 am
Anyway, here's a little more information on Prater. Appears he was on the NAU roster, but had some academic struggles while he was there. Probably a discipline issue out of high school, but shouldn't be a problem since he was in the Army where discipline taught.
http://www.northwesteliteindex.com/2013/03/18/us-army-special-forces-qb-eric-prater/
April 19th, 2014 at 9:25 am
Headed out to scout the Nevada Wolf Pack scrimmage. There was talk the new Pack defensive coordinator implementing some kind of double eagle flex defense or Desert Swarm defense. Got me curious.
April 19th, 2014 at 10:20 am
I remember when I was stationed at RAF Lakenheath we had a base football team. But the base just down the road Mildenhall, had a Starting QB who turned out to be from my high school, Aiea. It was just a little something to remind of us of home being stationed in a foreign country.
April 19th, 2014 at 10:23 am
Good morning everyone!
Welcome Eric Prater!
April 19th, 2014 at 10:36 am
Welcome Eric! Mahalo for your service. Now study hard and make the best of that 911 GI Bill! Nice now that the NCAA now allows unlimited SOS.
April 19th, 2014 at 10:37 am
...and I do mean now.
April 19th, 2014 at 11:03 am
Prater's arm strength is fantastic. Being a highlight video, we don't see the bad throws so always tough to judge how accurate he really is. He definitely will be a long term project as I'm sure his ability to read/react to defenses and coverages is well behind everybody else, plus he's only played 1 year of football, so there's going to be a major adjustment for him.
The downside I see from the video is that his feet are pretty deliberate, to put it kindly. He needs to work on driving his steps on the drop back. Some of his 7 and 9 step drops don't get very far in the back field. His 9 step drop only went about 6-7 yards. This is stuff that will get worked on so no need to worry. The other thing I noticed was that the ball is being thrown a fraction late. This is an experience/anticipation thing. On most throws, the WR has already made the break at or before Prater pulls the trigger. Just .25-.50s could be the difference between a quick out to the flat going for 2yards or 8 yards before the defender arrives. On deeper routes, a .25-.50s could be the difference between a catch or interception.
I like his build, really solid shoulders and definitely a power pitcher's arm. Prater actually has a compact motion for a former pitcher. Most baseball players turned QB have a longer motion (eg Kaepernick). He will be fun to track over the next few years. Maybe he'll get a shot in a couple seasons from now.
I like these type of walkons because they are low risk and potentially high reward if they can make it work.
April 19th, 2014 at 1:34 pm
Boy got some zip on dat ball!
April 19th, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Go Michelle! 1 back through 7.
April 19th, 2014 at 1:39 pm
I wouldnt be surprised if he quickly moves up the depth chart. But gotta see how he throws while getting hit.
April 19th, 2014 at 1:47 pm
3 way tie through 8.
April 19th, 2014 at 2:05 pm
Holy moly.... whoa! Prater's got a friggin Cannon of a arm.
April 19th, 2014 at 2:10 pm
Even though Junior Day was last Saturday, still quite a few Class of 2015 local HS prospects......Rex Manu, Solomon Matautia, Semisi Uluave, Reupena Fitisemanu, Salanoa-Alo Wily, Absalom Henry, Arona Amosa, Kalanela Mauga, Pesi Savea, William Auwae, Myles Uepa.....in attendance at today's UH practice.
April 19th, 2014 at 2:14 pm
Al,
Your bet about Wittek still on right? My mouth salivating about the meal we gonna eat! Gonna have "double" the taste! Witteks Mater Dei high school coach tweeting he probably heading to Texas.
April 19th, 2014 at 2:42 pm
Wie leads theough 12
April 19th, 2014 at 2:51 pm
Nice roll out and throw against the grain.
Is Eric open to playing baseball? We need help in that department as well.
April 19th, 2014 at 2:58 pm
Leads by 2!
April 19th, 2014 at 2:58 pm
thanks 4 up-date 3 prong.....
April 19th, 2014 at 3:31 pm
matty boy...its on, bro. i missed your reply the other day.
i hope my little birdie is on it!
April 19th, 2014 at 3:35 pm
Wittek is good as gone IMHO...Dats okay, we want people who want to play for Hawaii.
April 19th, 2014 at 4:01 pm
congratulations michelle wie!!!
whooootah!
April 19th, 2014 at 4:16 pm
It sure looks like Wittek is a lock to Texas...He attended they're spring game today which marks his 3rd visit to UT...On his own dime of course
April 19th, 2014 at 4:20 pm
SAT: yah,...she 2-Gooood 2-Day! hehe
April 19th, 2014 at 4:50 pm
What's so good about Wittek ? He didn't show much at USC as some others have stated.
April 19th, 2014 at 5:25 pm
AttaGirl Michelle!
April 19th, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Michelle - BIG WIN - CONGRATULATIONS!
April 19th, 2014 at 6:21 pm
Didn't see her pull driver today. Kept ball low all day to beat the wind. Stinger City kept givng her putting opportunities. Awesome.
April 19th, 2014 at 6:36 pm
H-instructor
April 19th, 2014 at 6:40 pm
I think couple of the spring walkon QBs should begin auditioning for another position if they wish to remain on the team
April 19th, 2014 at 7:08 pm
Bummer about Wittek.....
April 19th, 2014 at 8:19 pm
Wittek might have not started.
April 19th, 2014 at 9:43 pm
Al,
I think this bet is an easy win for me again! hes a lock for texas i know i! Hmmm now where to eat??
April 19th, 2014 at 10:15 pm
... fuuud ...
... mangoes, anyone ? ... $3,000.00 for two ...
http://news.msn.com/offbeat/pair-of-japanese-mangoes-fetch-dollar3000-at-auction
April 20th, 2014 at 6:53 am
51
got it
April 20th, 2014 at 6:57 am
Happy Easter!
April 20th, 2014 at 7:04 am
Glad to have an 11b4p on the team.
April 20th, 2014 at 7:13 am
Wouldn't 11b4p indicate he was a SFC? I don't think that would be possible given his age. Also, being in the Airborne does not make you part of SOF.
April 20th, 2014 at 7:15 am
No an NCO.
April 20th, 2014 at 7:18 am
1. He had to be a parachutist.
2. He had to make selection.
April 20th, 2014 at 7:19 am
I thought you were abbreviating the 4 for 40 level, my bad.
April 20th, 2014 at 7:21 am
I was with the 1/508 82nd ABN in the nam (feb68-Dec 69) then was an instructor till my DEROS.
April 20th, 2014 at 7:23 am
Thanks for your service. I'm a 15 series dude.
April 20th, 2014 at 7:33 am
With this young mans GI Bill, benefits; he should not have a problem making it through. I hope he develops his skills, while being a member of the team.
April 20th, 2014 at 7:41 am
Happy Easter All!
Go Warriors! They, too, shall rise!