Nation’s top running back recaps Alabama visit
Nathaniel Frazier, the No. 1 running back in the country per On3 Sports, took an unofficial visit to Alabama earlier this week. He arrived in Tuscaloosa on Sunday morning and remained in town until Tuesday. The visit was described as an “eye-opening” experience, and one that made a big splash in Frazier’s recruitment.
“It was a really great time,” Frazier said after his first visit to Alabama. “We went around campus. It’s really spread out. There looks like a lot of different things you can do. It’s also a place where you can go and really focus.
“You can have a good college experience while still being able to handle your business. I saw the football facilities; they were really nice. Everyone there is just serious and straight to the point. They don’t try to sugarcoat anything
“I also loved seeing the amazing stadium. I loved seeing the campus especially with all the fraternities and sorority houses. They really represent the culture. It was amazing to see. Tuscaloosa is a football city. You drive into town and you immediately think Alabama football.”
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Nathaniel Frazier during unofficial visit to Alabama.
Frazier received an offer from Alabama on January 11. He has remained in close contact with running backs coach Robert Gillespie, and area recruiter Holmon Wiggins. Frazier called Alabama, “RBU”, prior to his visit. He shed light on meeting with coaching staff and players.
“I really like Coach Gillespie,” Frazier said. ”He’s a great person. It was my first time to really be around. I just love the way he carries himself. He loves his players, and does great job of developing them. He wants his guys to be great. I felt like I had a lot of things in common with the other backs. I fit in really well. I felt like I had known them for a long time.
“Just visiting with Coach (Nick) Saban was a wonderful experience. I never thought I would have a conversation with him. It was a really cool experience. He is all about business. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He is going to coach you hard and get the best out of you. He’s hard on kids because he knows their potential.
“If you want to be great you want to be pushed as hard as possible. That’s what Alabama does. They push players to get the best out of them. They have produced the greatest college players, and now have so many of the greatest NFL players.”
Frazier loves the success rate in Tuscaloosa
Frazier was appreciative of the “great people” who treated his family with kindness during their first experience, and not last, at the Capstone. He described Alabama as a place where “you can find freedom and peace.” He didn’t expect the vibrant campus life or the trip to go as well as previously imagined.
Official visits have not been decided yet, though Frazier intends to return to Tuscaloosa this fall. He may also return this summer. The visit “definitely helped” the Tide’s chances in its pursuit of the No. 3 overall player in California per On3 Sports.
“I just really lover their program in general,” Frazier said. “I have seen everything Alabama has done. I see what all Nick Saban has accomplished. He chooses his players and coaches very wisely. You know how many national championships they’ve won.
“They are one of the greatest programs in history. I am not taking anything away from other schools, but Alabama speaks for itself. You see all the players who have won Heismans. They’ve also had so much success at running back. A lot of first rounders, and several who are very successful players in the NFL.”
Several contenders are in the fight for Frazier. He noted Alabama, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Colorado, Washington, Miami, Arizona, Oregon and Georgia as schools recruiting the hardest. Frazier wants to decipher which schools consider him the highest priority. He is not in any rush to make a decision, stating a commitment may happen before, during or after the season.
CLICK HERE for the running list of targets visiting Tuscaloosa this weekend!
Southern comfort
Nathaniel Frazier spent two days visiting Alabama.
Comfort level will play a key role in his decision. Frazier also wants his family’s blessing on the school of his choice whether it’s on the West Coast or in the SEC. His mom found plenty of comfort in Tuscaloosa after the memorable trip.
“My family really loved the visit,” he said. “It opened their eyes. They really didn’t expect it to be like that. They liked how the coaches had their families around. They were with their kids. It was a family atmosphere.
“My mom felt really comfortable. She asked several questions. I want my mom to be happy with my choice. I asked her if she would be OK if I went to school as far away as Alabama. She said she would. She would be comfortable with me going there. That’s just a big boost knowing I have her blessing if that’s where I decide to go.”
Mater Dei High School is also the school that produced former Alabama quarterback, Bryce Young. Frazier mentioned the buzz around the school recently regarding Young’s potential as the possible No. 1 pick in the NFL draft next week.
The Tide’s success with California players, including Young, is noteworthy. Top recruits will still make their own decisions. Young graduated from Alabama in three years with above a 3.0 GPA. It’s an important aspect of Alabama’s ability to recruit prospective student-athletes.
“What really stood out to me about the visit was learning about the graduation rate,” Frazier concluded. “That stood out to me the most. You have a national championship caliber program- it’s hard to keep kids on track. They have a 92-percent graduation rate. That’s an all-time high for a national championship contender school. That really sticks out to me.”
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On3 Scouting Report
“Dynamic every down back with projectable size and home run ability. Measured in at 5-foot-10.5, 206 pounds in the spring prior to his senior season. Has some of the best long speed among top running backs in the 2024 cycle, running a wind-legal 10.77 mark in the 100 meters as a junior. Carries that speed over to the field where he displays arguably the best burst among 2024 running back prospects.
Explodes through the hole and consistently defeats defenders’ angles as an outside runner. Has the long speed to pull away once in the open field. Runs with outstanding pace. Makes defenders miss at a high rate, with lateral agility. Side-steps tacklers in confined spaces. Runs with high-level contact balance. Stays grounded on contact and spins out of tackles. Dangerous in the screen game and has upside as a pass catcher given his showings on the camp circuit.
“Transferred to powerhouse Mater Dei as a junior and split carries in a talented backfield. Does not have the workload or production of most other top running back prospects, but is highly efficient. Rushed for 791 yards and nine touchdowns on 61 carries (11.4 yards per carry) as a junior. More of a skill set evaluation than a pure high school football resume builder heading into his senior season.”
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