By Hunt Palmer
Miles Frazier was headed to the NFL.
After two seasons at LSU and four in college, the redshirt junior guard had decided he was ready to move on to the professional ranks. He thought better of it.
“I had a mindset that I was going to declare (for the NFL Draft) last year,” Frazier said. “My body wasn’t ready. I didn’t take advantage of the resources (at LSU) and everything like that…last year I played at around 338-340. This year I used Dr. (Matt) Frakes and the nutrition staff, and I really honed in on my body composition.”
Early mornings in the gym and more mindful eating paid off in a big way for Frazier. He transformed his body for the better and in doing so changed the way he plays the game.
“Now I’m playing at around 312 or 313. The growth that I’ve made from the offseason to now, it allows me to play a lot faster,” Frazier said. “Scouts always mention that. The step from last year to this year has been huge.”
Frazier mentioned to reporters that his favorite play is now LSU’s counter run where he’s able to pull and get out in front of the play in space. At 340 lbs., chasing down linebackers has its challenges. Now Frazier feels more capable and confident in his mobility.
He also enjoys a little friendly competition when one of those plays breaks open.
“Some of the long runs we’ve had with (freshman running back) Caden (Durham), I’m racing Emery (Jones) and Will (Campbell) to the touchdown,” he joked. “And we always talk about who won.”
Saturday will mark Frazier’s 53rd college football game and 37th start at LSU. He called the school a childhood dream. It became a reality.
He’ll have an opportunity to continue his football career at the professional ranks in the coming months. Four all-star games including the Senior Bowl and the Hula Bowl have extended invitations.
There is no decision to be made this time around because his eligibility is up after five years on college campuses. That has cleared Frazier’s focus for the conclusion of the 2024 season.
“This year, with agents, the Senior Bowl, with looking to the league, I don’t even do that,” Frazier said. “I’m gonna worry about that after this game. I’m focused on each game, preparing, because all that stuff can take care of itself. Me taking every game one game at a time has helped me with the success I’ve had this season.”
Frazier was quick to point out all of the help LSU has provided along the way like the nutrition center, rehabilitation facilities and coaches. His position coach, Brad Davis, was chief among the factors Frazier praised.
“Coach Davis is second to none,” Frazier said. “I don’t really tell him this, because I’m not very emotional, but I see him more as like a father figure, like a second father. He really cares in real life. He’s going to war for us trying to put us in the best position to succeed, so we want to go to war for him.”
Frazier’s first year at LSU was 2022, Davis’s second at LSU. That season Campbell, Jones and Frazier arrived and have subsequently started 108 games as Tigers. Saturday night will be their last in Tiger Stadium.
A new generation of Tiger offensive lineman is up next. That includes redshirt freshmen DJ Chester and Paul Mubenga who have started games this year as well as Tyree Adams and a host of other once highly-rated high school prospects.
Frazier believes LSU is in good hands.
“The younger guys like Paul, DJ, they’re going the extra mile,” Frazier said. “They’re watching film. They’re staying late. They’re working on their bodies. They’re not hurt, but they’re in the treatment room every day just trying to put their bodies in the best position possible.
“The young guys are buying in, and it’s creating growth every single week. Paul and DJ in (the Vanderbilt) game took the next step that they needed to in terms of us passing the torch to them. They’re embodying the bomb squad mentality…the best is yet to come for them. Definitely.”
