PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He’s one of three visiting the Steelers on Friday and one of two Mountaineers, center Zach Frazier brings a toughness at the center position in an area of need.
A two-time All-American at West Virginia, he was praised for his toughness for his four seasons in Morgantown. Over the past two seasons he allowed one sack and the Mountaineers keep a stat they call knockdowns, according to that metric, he knocked 170 defensive players down over the last three seasons.
Frazier said at the NFL Combine that he enjoyed ‘putting people to the ground’.
He is aware of the Steelers need at center and the tradition, but growing up in Fairmont, West Virginia, he wasn’t a Steelers fan. He grew up loving the Dolphins as his father was from Florida. His dad was recruited to play center at Fairmont State and stayed there after meeting his mom. His dad loved the Dolphins, he’s named for Hall of Fame linebacker Zach Thomas. It’s why he wears number 54.
The 6’3”, 315-pound Frazier said his father taught him all the techniques growing up while his mom taught him the mental toughness and the nutrition discipline. He also learned a lot from wrestling. Frazier was a four-time state heavyweight champion, losing two matches his entire career. He said every team he’s met with asked him about the wrestling, so he believes it’s an advantage.
He believes he carries that physical ability with the preparation needed at the position. Frazier said he works hard at studying opponents to find any weakness and is ready to make those line calls at the next level. If it were up to him, his offense wouldn’t have to throw.
“Run blocking is definitely my favorite,” Frazier said. “I like it when you can tee off on some people. Pass blocking is fun, but if it were up to me, I’d run the ball all day.”
Early on, Frazier was mocked late in the first round, but has been consistently in the second. Would he be around when the Steelers draft at pick 51 of the second round? That’s the risk you take in the Draft.
The other two visitors are Mountaineers corner Beanie Bishop and Iowa corner Cooper DeJean.
Bishop’s stock has risen since the Big 12 Pro Day when he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash and a 4.15 20-yard shuttle. Bishop was a consensus All-American and led the nation with 24 passes defended and 20 pass breakups with four interceptions. At 5’9”, 182 pounds, he was most recently mocked in the fifth round.
Iowa’s Cooper DeJean is a first rounder in nearly every mock draft. A First-team AP All-American, Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year along with being Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year. In 2022, the 6’, 203-pounder had three interceptions returned for touchdowns.