  The reaction $\gamma + p\to \eta^\prime + p$ is investigated in the quark
model approach. The quark model predicts that the off-shell contributions from
the resonance $S_{11}(1535)$ dominate the $\etap$ production in the threshold
region. We find that the coulping constant $\alpha_{\etap NN}$ from the fit to
a few total cross section data is small. The results of the total and
differential cross sections are presented at different energies, which can be
tested in the future experiments. If the future total cross data indeed show a
resonance structure around 2 GeV suggested in a recent study, it would be an
evidence of a non $qqq$ structure in its wavefunction.
