Afte being selected on a pair of recent preseason all-Big Ten teams, Maryland wide receiver Kaden Prather was named among 12 under-the-radar offensive players generating NFL Draft buzz heading into the 2024 season. From Matt Zenitz: "Despite only ranking third on his own team in receiving last year, at least some scouts believe Prather has the talent to come off the board in the first few rounds of next year's NFL draft. The West Virginia transfer had a touchdown catch against Ohio State in a game that Maryland trailed by just three in the fourth quarter. He also tallied 81 yards on three catches against eventual national champion Michigan. "I like Prather," an NFL scout told CBS Sports. "I see Prather in the same way I see Felton at Virginia Tech, big guys that just need polish. Felton's probably a little faster, but Prather's got the ball skills. He's a red zone target to go up and get it." With Prather and Tai Felton, Maryland is set to boast one of the more talented receiver tandems in the Big Ten. At least some scouts have Felton, who accumulated 723 yards last year, with grades in the fourth-round range." After spending two seasons at West Virginia, Prather arrived in College Park with NFL potential ahead of the 2023 season before becoming an integral piece in the wide receiver room. “I always knew this was a destined location. As soon as I hit the portal, I knew where I wanted to go. The portal is not as fun as Tyrese said it is, but I already had an idea,” Prather said last spring. With Jeshaun Jones providing the versatility while Tai Felton showcased his big-play ability, Prather's role as the big-bodied wideout made him a frequent pick on former quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa's deep balls. Now, the Montgomery Village native and one-time Northwest star will look to develop that same rapport with the Terps' new starting quarterback. Kaden Prather was one of two Maryland wide receivers included in the top-40 of Phil Steele's draft-eligible position rankings, checking at 35th overall while Tai Felton graded as the 18th-best receiver in the country. While head coach Mike Locksley is back in the quarterback room this season heading into the final stretch of the quarterback battle in August, the wide receiver room will have the two veterans to lean on as they look to put the finishing touches on their NFL Draft resume. The big question for the receiver room is who will emerge as the third wide receiver with Shaleak Knotts, who was a frequent standout through spring ball, and Octavian Smith Jr. among the rising players looking to step into bigger roles in 2024. Maryland will open the season on August 31 against UConn inside SECU Stadium for a noon kickoff. Related Links
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