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Georgia running back included on way-too-early Heisman watch

Palmber-Thombsby:Palmer Thombs•12/16/24•

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Nate Frazier Georgia
Nov 16, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nate Frazier (3) runs against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Heisman Trophy was handed out on Saturday to a player who did his time in high school in the state of Georgia, Colorado superstar Travis Hunter. Afterwards, ESPN named players they’ll be keeping an eye out for as far as next year’s Heisman Trophy goes and the Peach State’s premier college program has one included. That would be Georgia running back Nate Frazier.

Mark Schlabach included the Bulldog freshman for a few reasons. Not only has Frazier shown his ability in spurts this season, but also UGA could be looking to replace lead back Trevor Etienne. The junior tailback has missed time this year, and it’s been Frazier that’s carried the load well during those games.

Frazier, who was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team last week, leads Georgia in rushing as the Bulldogs enter the College Football Playoffs with 634 yards and eight touchdowns on 129 carries. He found the end zone at least once in each of UGA’s final five games of the regular season including three times on a day he rushed for 136 yards on 21 attempts – all career-high totals – against UMass. Frazier also scored in the season-opener versus Clemson, totaling over 100 yards of offense that day with 83 rushing and 24 receiving.

“If junior tailback Trevor Etienne declares for the NFL draft, Frazier should enter the 2025 season as the Bulldogs’ primary back. He showed plenty of promise as a freshman, running 129 times for 634 yards with eight scores,” Schlabach wrote. “Frazier, from Compton, California, improved tremendously as a pass blocker and caught 10 passes out of the backfield. He lost a couple of untimely fumbles, though, so ball security will continue to be a focus going forward.”

Of course there’s no guarantee that Etienne decides to go pro. The Florida transfer missed time with an injury to his ribs before returning for a big performance in the SEC Championship Game. He put up 94 yards rushing and 28 receiving as he topped the 100-yard mark for total offense a second time against Texas this season (87 rushing, 23 receiving in October). He also had 88 yards rushing and 36 yards receiving against Auburn earlier that month, and should he decide to return for a second season at Georgia and wait on the NFL for another season, his name could easily be a replacement for Frazier’s on the way-too-early Heisman watch.

Frazier was one of three running backs on the list of “Next Year’s Heisman Now” names to know. Also included were Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame and Jordan James, a one-time Georgia commit, at Oregon. Others on the list were Kevin Jennings (SMU), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State), Sam Leavitt (Arizona State), Drew Allar (Penn State), LaNorris Sellars (South Carolina), Ryan Williams (Alabama), Arch Manning (Texas), Nico Iamleava (Tennessee), DJ Lagway (Florida) and Cade Klubnik (Clemson).

For more Georgia athletics coverage, be sure to check out the DawgsHQ YouTube channel where you can find press conferences, player interviews, podcasts and more!

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