CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Capital quarterback Tyrhee Pratt on Friday officially signed to play football with the Charlotte 49ers, ending a drawn out recruiting process that had several ups and downs along the way.
Pratt originally committed to WVU in March of 2015 during his junior year of high school, but didn’t sign with the Mountaineers this past February as academics became part of an ultimate roadblock at signing day.
“He knew that he was going to eventually sign with Charlotte about three days after signing day,” said Capital coach Jon Carpenter. “We just waited until (Friday) to get all of his family together. I’m excited for him.”
Pratt finished as the 2015 Kennedy Award winner and runner-up to the MetroNews Player of the Year Award as he was one of the state’s most highly touted recruits.
The initial let-down of not being able to sign with West Virginia was quickly followed with the opportunity that Charlotte presented.
“It was good for him to have Charlotte,” Carpenter said. “You had to bury your head in the sand initially. It’s funny, because everyone thinks they know the scoop on what happened (with WVU) and what he went through. And really, nobody does. That was hard to see him have to be let down for a day or two.
“He had shut his recruiting down so early (after committing to WVU) and I felt bad for him on that end – you never want to see anybody hurt,” Carpenter said. “But football is a business and you understand that. But it was really neat to have Charlotte. I think God has a plan for you and if the worst thing that happens to you is that you have to play for Brad Lambert (at Charlotte), then you’re a pretty blessed guy.”
Pratt finished his senior season with 2,187 yards passing yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed for 919 yards and 16 touchdowns on 158 carries (5.8 per carry), leading the Cougars to a Class AAA runner-up finish.
“I think he can play anywhere,” Carpenter said. “We’ve been all across the eastern seaboard watching people practice to see what Division I quarterbacks look like – and he looks exactly like them. When he gets there and gets to practicing, I think it will be a great fit for him. He has a great coach to play for and I think he has a great chance to be a pretty good quarterback in that league.”