WVU Offensive Line Coming Together After Frazier’s Departure.
West Virginia offensive lineman Zach Frazier runs a drill at the NFL combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis.
MORGANTOWN — There can be no doubt that West Virginia once again believes its offensive line will be among the best in the Big 12, giving quarterback Garrett Greene time to throw and the runners holes to run through, but they also know that there is a big void in the middle.
That is the place that had been filled by Zach Frazier, the All-World center whose next stop is the NFL.
Frazier, from Fairmont Senior High School, was a four-year starter for the Mountaineers until breaking a bone in his leg in his final regular season game of what was an All-American year.
Life goes on with Brandon Yates filling in for him, but not without everyone thinking of what Frazier brought to the table.
“It’s different, no question,” offensive coordinator Chad Scott said. “He was different.”
Truth is, Zach Frazier was a once-in-a-lifetime football player. You know that when the NFL comes around and about the only negative box they can check is that his arms aren’t long enough.
We all know a lot of people like that, especially when the bar tab is delivered.
Other than that, Frazier was unique.
“That was a huge loss and there is a huge void, no question,” Scott said. “The guy started every game but one since he’s been here. His sheer presence, his physicality, the way he plays the game. It’s huge to lose a guy like that.”
But it was more what he did off the field that will be missed.
“Frazier did a great job as a leader. Not a vocal leader, more so in the way he studied the game, how he acted outside the game,” Scott said.
It’s a role that must be filled, but it is unrealistic to believe anyone will fill it in the same manner.
“Nobody’s going to be Frazier,” Scott said.
The leadership mantle clearly falls now on quarterback Garrett Greene’s shoulders as he enters his fifth year in the program and third as a starter.
“Yeah, it’s kind of weird, being the old guy in the building,” Greene admitted. “It’s all about leadership, but just because you’re the oldest guy you still have to show up and be the same guy every day. Age doesn’t figure into that.”
Greene, however, has a completely different personality from Frazier and is infectious in everything he does. In truth, if Frazier was the moral compass and model of work ethic and preparation, Greene is a human “upper” who provides a way to turn Frazier’s lessons into performance on the field.
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Most people considered last year’s jump to nine wins despite being picked to finish last in the Big 12 as a satisfying season. That, obviously, included West Virginia athletic director Wren Baker, who rewarded Coach Neal Brown with a contract extension.
However, do not count quarterback Garrett Greene among those who were satisfied with the season.
“I think we underachieved last year,” Greene said. “That team was a 10- or 11-win team, for sure. That’s the next step we have to take. It’s easier to go from 5 wins to 9 wins, but now it’s really hard to go from 9 wins to 11.”
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It has come to light that Michigan approached former WVU and Michigan basketball coach John Beilein to see if he was interested in replacing Juwan Howard as the Wolverines’ coach before they settled on Dusty May of Florida Atlantic.
Michigan made the move after finishing 8-24 and last in the Big 10 last season.
Warde Manuel, the Michigan athletic director, admitted in The Athletic that he had approached Beilein, who led them to two national final games in his time there.
