JuniorRank: Get Noticed, Get Recruited

When 2016 prospect Benjamin Frazier steps onto the field at Buford High School in Buford, Georgia, it won’t be the first time that excellence has stepped onto the field in recent years. Since 2000, the Buford Wolves have won seven state titles, including a three from ‘01-‘03 and four from ‘07-‘10, and were two-time runners-up. Yet with all the success and victory that has followed this small Georgia school for over a decade, they may have found something special in Frazier.

Known affectionately as “Big Shug,” Frazier has been a force of nature in the youth football world, both figuratively and literally. At a massive 6’3” and 306 lbs., this offensive/defensive lineman has been dominating opponents across the nation. A 2011 Youth1 Top Prospect at both offensive and defensive line, Frazier was selected to play in both the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl and the Junior Rank Academic All-American Game, opting to play in Junior Rank event in Tempe this past January. Since then, he’s been hard at work preparing for the upcoming season.

Deciding not to participate in all-star games this off-season, Frazier instead has a packed schedule with national football camps and personal training. At the Junior Rank Flight Camp in Atlanta, Frazier made his presence felt and was a top performer at the event, while also consistently performing against the high school group. He also plans to attend the Junior Rank Camp in Philadelphia later in June, and will also participate in the Junior Rank’s new invite-only exhibition, Junior Rank Prodigy Camp.

Other than camps, Frazier has been training non-stop since January to get into peak condition for his freshman year. This off-season, he’s been working with former NFL All-Pro defensive end Chuck Smith. Smith, who trains current NFL pros, including New York Jets defensive tackle Calvin Pace and New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora, has been working with Frazier to improve his speed, quickness, stamina,c and hands. The training, combined with his size and prodigious strength (Frazier boasts a best bench press of 260 lbs. and can leg press 720 lbs.), will make this freshman nearly unstoppable.

A talented player on both sides of the ball, Frazier may be a better defensive player than offensive. Despite his size, he plays with incredible agility and quickness, showing he is a big football player, not just a big guy playing football. On the line, Frazier is a constant disruption in the running game and takes up enough space to effectively eliminate running lanes. He is also athletic enough to get into the offensive backfield and make big plays. Since he has yet to start a serious weight training program, his brute strength hasn’t fully developed to its full potential; he’ll be downright frightening once he hits the high school weight room.

Although he’s made waves in his youth career, Frazier is still taking it one play at a time, focusing on improving every day and giving it one hundred percent. Though he has yet to take a snap at the high school level, Frazier has already received interest from major Division 1 schools, including Penn State University, the University of South Carolina, and the defending national champions, the University of Alabama. Frazier also has his eyes on playing for LSU; the Tigers have a knack for developing top ranked defensive lineman, including Glenn Dorsey, a former 1^st round pick for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Buford Wolves have earned their place at the top of Georgia football by featuring outstanding athletes like Benjamin Frazier. He knows that the journey to become the best is a long one, and this incredible athlete is prepared to put in the hard work needed to succeed. And when you hear the Wolves faithful yell “Shuuuuuuuug!” you know this big man made a big play.