By Hunt Palmer
Bowl season has shifted more toward opt-outs and transfers than actual football games.
In December, instead of finding reasons not to play, Miles Frazier found reasons to suit up.
“My biggest focus was making sure the young guys took that next step in terms of being self-motivated and taking extra work and maximizing their full potential,” Frazier told Off the Bench’s T-Bob Hebert and Jacob Hester on Thursday. “My second thing was to show that I can play tackle.”
Frazier got that opportunity because three of LSU’s starters on the offensive line—Will Campbell, Garrett Dellinger and Emery Jones—decided not to play.
Campbell is projected as a high first round pick. Jones is inching his way up draft boards. That left LSU’s tackle spots vacant, and Frazier was happy to fill one. The fifth-year senior had played tackle at FIU before transferring to LSU as a sophomore. He started 37 games at guard and one at tackle, his first home game as a Tiger against Southern.
After three seasons, it was time to re-learn the position.
“I got with (Offensive line) Coach Davis and Coach (Adam Kleffner), and we did a lot of tackle sets, stances,” Frazier said. “First, I had to figure out my stance, then I had to decide what side I was more comfortable with. And then we did a lot of (independent work) additional to practice, separate film and things like that. I think it really helped.”
Frazier has ridden the momentum of a strong bowl performance at right tackle right into this week’s Reese’s Senior Bowl. Working at both guard and tackle, Frazier has been up to nearly every test.
Every 1-1 rep from LSU OL Miles Frazier today. Hell of a session for an athlete that failed to allow a sack in 544 pass pro snaps this fall. pic.twitter.com/UILRyh3RC7
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) January 29, 2025
And he’s doing it alongside teammates Jones, Dellinger, Sai’vion Jones and Mason Taylor.
“I want to show that I’m the best swing player in this draft class, and I feel like I’m doing that each and every day, each and every rep,” Frazier said. “I’m taking advantage of each and every rep and taking advantage of the opportunity to be with Emery, Delly, Mason and Sai’vion.”
This week marks the final week Frazier and his four teammates will wear the purple and gold helmet in competition. The next time they compete in practice or a game, it will be with and NFL team.
For Frazier, it marks the end of a dream that he had years ago as a young boy growing up in Camden, N.J. He started his career at FIU but knew where he would eventually end up if ever given the opportunity.
“Everyone that goes to LSU is just so high on LSU,” Frazier said. “Forever, LSU. Geaux Tigers. Wearing wristbands. Everyone who is in the league, and everyone who is in media, and just everyone in general. I was wondering why the culture was so strong. I actually waited to get into the portal to get (an) LSU (offer). That was the specific school that I wanted to go to. Once I got the call, it was a no brainer.”
After 39 games at LSU, almost all of which came beside Jones, Dellinger and Campbell, it’s not just the on-field memories Jones holds dear. “The Bomb Squad”, as the offensive line as LSU has affectionately been referred to for years, goes much further than huddles and formations.
“That unit, those are going to be the guys who are going to be in my wedding,” Frazier said. “Those are the same guys that I’m going to carry for the rest of my life that really made an impact on me. Specifically, Coach Brad Davis, Coach Kleff, everybody who was involved, Coach Kanan Ray, all those guys. I cherish those memories specifically. Just to be with those guys. Because when you’re in the trenches, and you have a good relationship with those guys off the field, you’re going out to bowl and stuff that’s not required by the team, but you just want to do it anyway, that’s when you build such a close unit.”
Now that unit is moving on to the professional ranks.
Frazier stated he wanted to spend December with the younger players who would get a chance to play in the Texas Bowl. Campbell, Jones and Dellinger combined to start 104 games at LSU. Their replacements, Paul Mubenga, Tyree Adams and Bo Bordelon had combined for just five when they took the field for the first snap against Baylor.
“Those guys bought in,” Frazier said. “They knew there was a void. At first, at the beginning of practices, it was different. But, as they bought into their potential, I feel like in a quick period of one to two weeks, from that first practice to the bowl game, they bought into the bomb squad way, and they embodied it in the game.”
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was not sacked in the game. The Tigers ran for 114 yards and scored 44 points with some help from a pick six and a kickoff return touchdown.
Frazier felt his work was done.
“They did phenomenal, and I’m proud of those guys for real,” he said. “They took the next step, and like I’m taking that next step (at the Senior Bowl). They’re going to take that next step and dominate the SEC next year.”
Now it’s time for Frazier to leave LSU behind to pursue his ultimate dream—a career in the NFL. And he gets a familiar feeling out on the practice field auditioning for his next role.
“Since I was five, that was my Plan A, Plan B, Plan C. So, the fact that I’m here, it’s just a blessing,” Frazier said. “I’m not going to lie, like, this moment at the Reese’s (Senior) Bowl playing next to my guys is more like my first moment in Death Valley when I first ran out, and I was like, ‘wow.’ I remember that first home game versus Southern. The bands were going back and forth, and I was like, ‘oh my god.’
“They show you on the visits in the little theatre room, but nothing compares to actually experiencing it. So, it definitely is my dream, Reese’s (Senior) Bowl, NFL, LSU all of that. It’s a blessing that everything is coming to fruition.”
As for what he’s leaving behind, Frazier says watch out for LSU.
“I talked to Nuss the other day, like two days ago, and I told him, like, it’s up this year,” he said. “A lot of people are counting LSU out this year. I don’t really talk on the media, but at the end of the day, that bomb squad unit with Nuss and the defensive side with (Harold Perkins), Whit (Weeks)and them, it’s going to go crazy.”
