Scouting Report: Zach Frazier (IOL) - West Virginia
Sales Pitch: “Tough, experienced center who is excellent on the move. Lacks the arm length or strength to be a difference true maker but has a well rounded game with a high floor.”
Athletic Profile
Height: 6’ 2 1/2”
Weight: 313 lbs
Arm Length: 32 1/4”
Hand Size: 10 7/8”
40 Yard Dash: 5.24
10 Yard Split: 1.81
Vertical: 28.5”
Broad Jump: 8’ 4”
Short Shuttle: 4.69
3-Cone: 7.85
Age: 22
Relative Athletic Score: 7.66 / 10.00
Statistics
Career: 5 SK - 14 HIT - 28 HUR - 47 PR - 98.4 EFF - 17 PEN
2023: 0 SK - 3 HIT - 3 HUR - 6 PR - 99.1 EFF - 4 PEN
Strengths
Thick body with excellent weight
Good first step burst and quickness
37 consecutive starts at center
Massive hands with good grip strength
Athleticism to get to blocks in space and second level
Burst to get head across on reach blocks
Footwork to seal off defenders in space
Active hands in pass pro that quickly work to reset
Able to drop his weight and anchor when squared up in pass pro
Fights to recover and finish blocks through the whistle
Weaknesses
Below average redirect ability
Lacks upper body strength to stop defenders without leverage
Short arms limit his ability to get first contact
Struggles to lock out and steer longer defenders
Does not create displacement on drive blocks at the point of attack
Pad level can pop up when moving in space or pass protecting
Bull rushes get good initial push on him
Top end pass rushers are able to power through his half shoulder if he does not get square
Center only prospect
Summary
Zach Frazier is tough, experienced center with excellent move blocking ability. The former 3-Star from West Virginia was a 4x state wrestling champ in high school. He was a staple in the Mountaineers program over the past four years as a 3x time captain, 3x All-Big 12 honoree and an All-American in 2021 and 2023. Frazier has good first step quickness and balance. He is at his best as a zone blocker on the move. Frazier displays the ability to get out in space and seal off second level defenders. He is effective at climbing to linebackers off of combo and solo blocks. He has the first step quickness to get leverage on reach blocks vs 0T and 1T as well as 3T with a little help from his guard. Frazier has big hands (99th percentile) with good grip strength that allow him to control and steer defenders when he latches on. His displays effort and toughness to fight through the whistle as a blocker. Frazier is less effective on gap runs than he is on zone runs, despite his excellent weight he does not have great power. He lacks the leg drive to create displacement on solo block at the point of attack. Despite his powerful hands, Frazier struggles to consistently lock out defenders due to a lack of length. His short arms prevent him from getting first contact and longer lineman can hold him at bay and control reps. Frazier’s length concerns also show up in pass protection. His hand timing and placement are good but top flight pass rushers are able to get first contact and attack his half shoulder. He lacks the upper body strength or redirect ability to cut off pass rushers who win the initial battle and it can effect his ability to protect the pocket. Frazier has a good anchor in pass protection due to good balance and weight but he has adequate pad level and upper body strength limitations allow power rushers to get a good initial push. Frazier projects as a starting center who best fits in a zone run scheme. His lack of power and length makes him a center-only at the next level and likely limits his landing spots. He has a high floor game due to tons of experience, good toughness and IQ which should translate from the jump, making him a likely Day 2 selection.