University of Tennessee at Chattanooga freshman D.J. Prather hits the sled at Scrappy Moore Field on Friday during the morning session of a two-a-day practice.D.J. Prather certainly looks the part when he stands by his fellow University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defensive ends. But being big, quick and strong is only part of being ready to play ball.
More than a week into preseason practice, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound true freshman, and former all-state player at Gordon Central (Ga.) High School, is learning, processing and adjusting to the college game.
“It’s something I’ve just got to get used to,” he said Wednesday. “The speed of the game is a whole lot faster; everyone’s bigger, stronger and faster.”
Prather has taken a practical approach to his situation.
“You’ve got to look at it like, in high school you might have been the best one on your team, but in college everybody was the best one on their team and now we’re all here together,” he said. “I’ve got to study better, get into the playbook more and just go fast and get used to the speed.”