Evan Prater will play a new position for the Cincinnati Bearcats this fall

At Big 12 media day, University of Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield announced Evan Prater will be moving to wide receiver. Prater, who’s been with the program as a quarterback since 2020 is a redshirt junior. The move took place in recent weeks and was made public Thursday. The 6-foot-4, 208-pound Prater had a brief cameo in 2020 vs. Austin Peay, then was 5-for-11 for 38 yards and two touchdowns in 2021 while running for 105 yards and two more scores. Last season he was 35-for-66 for 423 yards and a touchdown and added 166 yards on the ground with a score. Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Evan Prater (3) runs for a first down against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports A spring injury prompted the move He was limited this spring in the quarterback competition with a sore shoulder. Emory Jones Jr., who was at Big 12 Media Days and transferred from Arizona State after previously being at Florida, appears to be 2023's quarterback. Last year's starter Ben Bryant transferred to Northwestern. Satterfield addressed Prater's situation before taking the podium in Arlington. “He’s a great player, he’s very athletic. We’re trying to find a way to get him on the football field,” Satterfield said. “This spring, his shoulder was bothering him, he couldn’t throw like he wanted to. I was like, ‘Is there a way we could get you on the field at wide receiver?’ He said, ‘Let’s do it!’ because he wants to play. Since he moved, it’s been awesome. He brings great size, and great athleticism.” Satterfield was concerned that work on Prater's shoulder could possibly take him out of the upcoming season. He discussed the move with Prater and his parents and is excited for the move as are his Bearcat teammates. Satterfield says Prater has since proven he can run around and catch the ball. Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Evan Prater (3) watches quarterbacks practice during the Cincinnati Bearcats spring scrimmage at Nippert Stadium on Saturday, April 15, 2023. Prater expected to have quick impact at new position "He'll help us!" Satterfield said. "He'll help us the first game. We'll be able to utilize him in a lot of different ways, not just as a receiver. We'll be able to motion him, do some things in the backfield. There's a lot of options there when you have a guy of his ability. There's a lot of different things we can do with him." Prater was featured more prominently as UC quarterback in the last three games of the 2022 season after starter Ben Bryant was injured. He started in Cincinnati’s Fenway Bowl game against Louisville. Prater in that game completed seven of 15 attempts, garnered 83 yards, and was sacked seven times. Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Evan Prater (3) runs out of the pocket in the third quarter during a college football game against the Tulane Green Wave, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. He still wants to play for his hometown team A native of Wyoming High School in Cincinnati, Prater won Ohio’s Mr. Football Award in 2019 as quarterback and has been primarily the backup quarterback behind Desmond Ridder and Ben Bryant. At the time of his signing, he was UC's highest-rated recruit since such things have been tracked. He was the No. 3 recruit in Ohio according to 247Sports.com and was anywhere from fifth to ninth nationally in terms of dual-threat quarterbacks. Prater was 40-2 during his time at Wyoming and also was a good basketball player which should help him at receiver. He led the Cincinnati Hills League in scoring as a junior at 17.7 points per game and averaged 19.4 points per game as a senior. Prater's older brother Garyn played receiver at Ohio State and briefly at UC before a career-ending injury.