This Sentell’s Intel rep on Georgia football tells the compelling backstory of Georgia freshman RB Nate Frazier. He finished his prep career as the nation’s No. 2 RB and No. 49 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite. He was also the No. 2 RB and No. 48 overall prospect in the On3 Industry Rankings.
Nate Frazier has had quite a fall.
And he did it in a way that has earned him attention at every summer practice, practice and scrimmage for the Georgia football program.
He transferred to UGA in early June and was rated as the No. 2 RB in the nation by national recruiting services. The irony was that as a senior, Frazier wasn’t even the clear starter for his powerful Mater Dei team (the mythical 2023 national champions).
There were clear signs of the great D’Andre Swift in his game. That was the scouting report on Frazier, who came in with his 10.5 100-yard speed and impressive work ethic.
He was also 6’1″ tall and weighed 200 pounds, which was a slightly bigger and slightly faster version of Swift. It remains to be seen if he had Swift’s suddenness, toughness, and deadly dead leg.
There was a notion that Frazier could emerge as a premier No. 3 running back this fall, the way Swift replaced Nick Chubb and Sony Michel in 2017. Nothing too out of the ordinary for a true freshman.
Yet somehow he’s outperforming that hype. He probably had to, given the sensitive nature of the transfer from Florida and the status of All-SEC pick Trevor Etienne for the opening game. There are also question marks surrounding the health (turf toe) of potential 2024 breakout Roderick Robinson and Branson Robinson’s eye-popping early comeback from the devastating knee injury that derailed his 2023 season.
When Frazier took to the field, it seemed like he did something to impress someone. Kirby Smart called him a “little bundle of energy” earlier in fall camp. Standout guard Dylan Fairchild said Frazier is always talking.
The Frazier stories are piling up:
- He once told former running backs coach Dell McGee not to be surprised about his signing. That’s not unusual, except that he told McGee that within the first hour of his first visit.
- On his phone, he counted down the days in January, February, March, April and May until he would report to his new team in Athens.
- He said that from that point on, he always “kept his head down and let God work his magic” when it came to achieving his dreams.
- When he restarted his recruiting process, he never thought he would be good enough to get the offer from Georgia. “I always tell people I never thought I would be in the position I am in today, but God made it possible and I am so thankful for Him.”
- His teammates told him to come to UGA in the best shape of his life or he would fall behind. Otherwise, the summer workouts and the grind of UGA would wear him out. He did that, and he clearly kept his head above water in fall camp.
- There was his reaction to a social media post that listed the highlights and names of former Georgia greats who wore the No. 3 jersey, like Todd Gurley and Roquan Smith. He took that to heart and was very conscious of what he had to represent when he got to wear that number in his first season.
- Frazier grew up in Compton and South Central Los Angeles, neighborhoods made famous by the classic 1991 John Singleton film “Boyz in the Hood.”
- There are quotes like this one he shared with DawgNation before signing with the Bulldogs last December: “I just want people to know not to give up, whatever they’re going through,” he said. “The road isn’t always going to be dark. There’s going to be dark days. There’s going to be rainy days. There’s going to be sunny days. But no matter what happens, keep fighting through and stay true to yourself and always keep your loved ones by your side because your family is going to stick by you no matter what.”
- “The biggest thing I want to say to the fans is that they don’t count as fans at all,” he said last December. “I’m not that kind of person. I’m not a Hollywood person. I’m just as equal as they are, so I don’t count as fans. Anybody at UGA that’s a fan of UGA football, I count as my family. I don’t count as fans under any circumstances. My message to them is I can’t wait to put on a show for you guys, to shine in Athens and at Sanford Stadium and help us win another national championship. I’m trying to get that third straight title in the three to four years that I’m going to be there. I can’t wait to see all those ladies and gentlemen and fans of Georgia football in person. I’m just grateful to them for always cheering me on under my Twitter comments and my Instagram posts. For all their love and support, I’m really grateful.”
That’s good, but none of them are the best stories we’ve heard about Frazier so far.
His commitment video from last fall is no longer online. He was kind enough to share it with DawgNation in the spring.
Given his talent and motivation, we just felt that DawgNation would have a lot of interest in seeing this again before the season opener against Clemson.
And the best part? He not only spoke the words in his engagement video himself, he also wrote them.
We’ve seen a lot of commitment videos over the years, but this one is a rarity because it goes deeper than almost all the others.
Check it out.
One comes to the conclusion that no one will ever tell the story of Nate Frazier better than he does.
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Nate Frazier: The words he wrote for his engagement video
This passage is self-explanatory.
Check out the actual lines of the script from the video embedded above, set to a classic Nipsey Hussle song.
Endurance. Time. Commitment. Dedication. Family.
Success is attainable for those who can look beyond the surface.
Every day I think about what if. What if I didn’t have football? What if there was no way out?
What if I didn’t develop a boundless love for the sport I can’t live without?
Growing up as a young black man in South Central LA wasn’t the best. There are a lot of obstacles to overcome, but God decided to make me a chosen one and make me a Ford tough guy.
My journey began at the age of six. A child with passion, the heart of a lion and dreams to pursue.
I knew that I was more and wanted more than society had to offer me.
For me, love and family have always come first.
This kind of love is holy. It motivates us to keep going. When I count my blessings, I count their love twice.
During this expedition I had days when I wanted to throw in the towel.
It’s not always pretty, but giving up is not an option for me. I see my story. I know I’m destined for greatness. I know I’m meant to change the narrative.
I have been blessed to change the trajectory of my family and the dynamic of who they thought I should be. Generational curses will not stop who I am and where I go. I will not be a statistic, following in the footsteps of the greats who paved the way for me.
I want to thank everyone who recognized my greatness and fed my hunger with confidence. I want to thank those who recognized my heart and lifted it with words of encouragement. I want to thank those who recognized my doubts and assured me that I am worthy.
Thank you very much.
With this in mind, I will continue my education and further develop my talent at the University of Georgia.
Let’s go, Dawgs.
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