With size and power, Shug Frazier overwhelmed many opponents, but despite a lot of interest from Power Five schools, the Buford defensive tackle chose N.C. State.
Three things to know about Frazier:
1. A four-year man at Buford: There aren't many four-year players at Buford, the most dominant high school football dynasty in Georgia. But there aren't many like Frazier, either.
“He’s one of the best big men ever to put on a Buford jersey,” Wolves coach Jess Simpson said bluntly.
An athletic, smart defensive tackle, Frazier chose North Carolina State over a bevy of Power Five schools, including all the SEC powers, USC and Texas. He’s headed to Raleigh to be a member of the Wolfpack, after an ultra-successful career at Buford.
2. Dominating senior season: Frazier had a monster senior season, with 41 tackles, 33 assists and seven sacks. But he really burst upon the scene as a sophomore. During a game against Gainesville, Frazier constantly harassed then-Red Elephants quarterback Deshaun Watson. At one point, Frazier gobbled up Watson and threw him to the ground with authority. Thankfully for Clemson fans, Watson survived that meeting with Frazier. The next time the two Georgia products meet it will be in the ACC.
3. A high football IQ: At 6-foot-2, 321 pounds, the dreadlocked Frazier could have easily just overwhelmed smaller blockers with his size and power. But one of the qualities that separated him from other big defensive tackles, Simpson said, was Frazier's desire to learn the skills required to defeat opponents. And he's only going to get better.
“He’s obviously really talented, but he worked really hard to be skilled at his craft,” Simpson said. “He loves football and really has a very-high football IQ.”
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