Nate Frazier Loves Georgia and RBU, Dawgs Might Need Him to Become Next Great Running Back
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ATHENS - Nate Frazier plowed into the endzone against Clemson for his first collegiate touchdown in the season opener and immediately paid homage to UGA Football greats with his celebration.
The true freshman wasted no time letting everyone know that he loves being a Georgia Bulldog when he bowed in the endzone and waved his hands like many great Georgia running backs have before. Now, it is his turn to try to become a great Georgia ball-carrier, and the Dawgs might just need it.
Georgia had not just its worst year on the ground since Kirby Smart took over in 2016, but its worst rushing year in nearly 20 seasons. It was the only time that Georgia did not run for at least 2,000 yards in a full season (shortened 2020 year excluded) while Smart has been in charge.
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With Trevor Etienne gone to the NFL and Georgia not making any big running back additions this offseason, the backfield is going to be very similar, but now Frazier is the presumed clearcut lead back for the Dawgs. Etienne was the top back when he played in 2024, which turned out to be pretty limited, but Frazier handled the rest of the duties and he actually led Georgia in carries and yards with 133 trots for 671 yards.
The true freshman turned heads in his Georgia debut against Clemson in Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a couple of electrifying plays, and he wants people to know that he is all about the red and black.
“Yessir, that was the plan,” Frazier told Dawg Post of his celebration. “I had been planning on doing that because honestly, when I committed I just watched running back highlights- Garrison Hearst, D’Andre Swift, Todd Gurley, Sony Michel, Nick Chubb. As I’m peeping them scoring their touchdowns, I’m like ‘Oh okay, that’s RBU (running back university), let me add that to my celebrations.’”
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Georgia has been traditionally referred to as “RBU” or running back university. The rising sophomore clearly wants to be rememebered with the greats. Frazier’s aspirations are lofty, but he gained the love from the fanbase in his first game as Georgia Bulldog.
There is no question that love is reciprocated by Frazier. He is the type of player that lets his emotions show on the field through his body language and actions. He lit up when asked about his passion for the team.
“I just love this place, man. I just love this school, I just love this place. I love everything about it. I love the tradition, I love the culture, I love how hard our fans root for us, how diehard our fans are,” Frazier told Dawg Post. “It’s just a great place to be. It’s just a great place to play football, man. Really, words can’t describe it- the feeling of just being here, the running back tradition. All of the great running backs and great players that came here just bleed red and black, so I just feel like that is in my heart as well.”
Frazier loves Georgia. That is coming from a kid from Compton, California. He isn’t homegrown, but he has the love part down. He also has the talent and the skills.
His love for being a Bulldog has even got him in trouble this past year. He was called for taunting after doing a Gator chomp celebration and a throat-slashing gesture after he scored against Florida in November. Smart was irate with him and he says that he has learned his lesson.
“Nah, I just gotta be more disciplined on that, gotta choose wisely on decisions that I make, just gotta be smarter. That’s it,” Frazier said of the penalty.
The freshman was a part of a lot of big moments for Georgia in 2024, including scoring the game-winner in the eight overtime against Georgia Tech. It was quite the memorable season, but the running game was as lackluster as it had been in a long time.
Georgia will be replacing at least four-of-five offensive line starters in 2025. Whether it is Gunner Stockton or Ryan Puglisi at quarterback, there will be a new signal-caller for the Dawgs. Smart and the staff brought in new wide receivers that are expected to be starters.
2025 will be a reset for Georgia on offense after a year where the unit regressed in pretty much every statistical category that is an indicator of success. It would be surprising if he doesn't have a much bigger role this coming year. The other running backs on the roster either lack experience or reliable health.
Frazier wants to be a UGA great. Time will tell if his love will help carry him there as he is likely tasked with carrying the Georgia running game moving forward.