MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — It’s hard for the record-keepers within the West Virginia football program to pinpoint the last time a true freshman started on the offensive line for the Mountaineers. It’s something rarely seen across all of college football, but those who know Zach Frazier know it’s no surprise he’s the first in the modern era to earn that designation.
The Fairmont native dominated the football field before even getting to Fairmont Senior, and also dominated the mat as a four-time state champion with the Polar Bears.
Senior defensive lineman Darius Stills, also a product of Fairmont Senior, was teammates with Frazier with just one season with the Polar Bears in 2016, but Frazier’s reputation preceded itself.
Fast-forward four years and Frazier lived up to the billing and then some.
“The first snap he played here, I knew,” Stills said. “He pancaked one of the other D-lineman easily and I thought, ‘He’s going to be a great player here.’ Just watch out for Zach. He has a chance to go to the next level, for sure.”
Though Frazier earned his starts earlier this season due to unfortunate circumstances — Chase Behrndt’s suspension against Eastern Kentucky (center) and James Gmiter testing positive for COVID-19 prior to the Baylor game (left guard) — Frazier’s earned his way into the starting rotation since, albeit with ups and downs.
“It was my goal to start coming in,” Frazier said. “Even in camp, I didn’t know if it was going to happen, but I got an opportunity and went with it.”
As impressive as Frazier’s early career has been starting as a true freshman, head coach Neal Brown mentioned Frazier’s struggles last week against Texas, but growing pains were bound to happen.
Going from Class AA football in West Virginia to the Big 12 is a massive bump up in a lot of ways.
“Bigger, stronger, faster … all of the above,” Frazier said. “The game is definitely a lot faster than high school.”
As for the Longhorns?
“They were tall and very big. It was definitely different.”
There has been a fair share of highlights, including Frazier springing the game-winning touchdown by Leddie Brown to beat Baylor in overtime, driving the Bears’ defender into the end zone before flattening him about six yards past the line of scrimmage.
Playing two positions is hard for any player, let alone a true freshman, but Frazier credits his father for helping him along the way.
“My dad helped a lot,” he said. “He played college ball at Fairmont State and has worked with me since grade school. He helped me with the plays we ran in high school. I felt I had a better understanding because of my dad.”
Two players enter transfer portal
In totally different scenarios, two Mountaineers entered the transfer portal this week.
Wide receiver Zack Dobson, who transferred from Middle Tennessee State this offseason, did not see the field in his brief time in Morgantown. After receiving a waiver for immediate eligibility, Dobson did not find a spot in the receiver rotation.
The other started the Oklahoma State game Sept. 26, but has since lost his starting job. Junior Uzebu won the job at left tackle over Brandon Yates to start the season, but Yates has started the last five games.
Uzebu continued to fall on the depth chart, even losing the backup spot to Morgantown alum Nick Malone.
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