Omaha tight end nearing a decision

Omaha (Neb.) Central tight end Nate Prater has hosted coaches from two of this three finalists. Coach No. 3 comes Thursday night, then the three-star rated prospect will consider his options one last time while he makes his decision.

"My visit to Kansas went great," the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Prater said. "I got to meet all of the coaches. I got to see the weight room that they are always talking about. It was huge, probably one of the best I have ever seen. The academic facilities were great for the athletes. But, the thing that really stands out to me were the dorm rooms. They were like apartments. I really liked them."

The last of his three official visits, combined with the in-home visits from two coaches has Prater nearing a decision.

"I am closer to making a choice," he said. "I'm aiming for a decision before Christmas. I went to Kansas thinking it was just at trip, but I really liked it. I wouldn't say I am favoring Kansas. All three left a great impression. I need to talk to all of the coaches and my family after Thursday night before I can be ready to make a decision."

Thursday evening, Kansas State coach Bill Snyder will come to see the Prater household.

"Coach (Mark) Mangino from Kansas came by yesterday. Coach (Dan) McCarney from Iowa State came in after he did yesterday. We had real good talks with both of them. It was nice to have them in our house. It kind of helped me answer a few final questions and give us the chance to hear some final comments from them. Coach Snyder will be here Thursday.

"I just want to make sure Kansas State is really high on me. They were talking about me maybe playing early. I know they are looking at Chase Coffman, too, so I want to see where I am on their list. I'll talk to my family and my coach and after Coach Snyder leaves and then maybe sometime next week, or the week after that I'll have a choice made."