D.J. PratherThe University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team's newest commitment, Gordon Central High School defensive lineman D.J. Prather, is a 16-year-old "steal," Warriors coach Chad Fisher said.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Prather informed UTC on Thursday that he wanted to join the Mocs, becoming the program's sixth commitment. Prather took his official visit last weekend.
Prather had 36 receptions for 444 yards as a tight end and 52 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and five sacks at defensive end this season for the Warriors, who went 8-3 and lost in the first round of Georgia's Class AAA playoffs.
"He understands the game and he's a very good football player, but I also think his upside is tremendous," said Fisher, who raved about Prather uninterrupted for about four minutes before taking a breath. "The kid's only 16 years old and he's got a lot of room to grow. I think Chattanooga's getting a dadgum steal.
"I think in the next two or three years D.J.'s going to blossom into a dominant defensive lineman in the Southern Conference."
Prather is the first defensive player to commit to the Mocs, who also have commitments from two quarterbacks and three offensive linemen.