Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has made it clear since being hired that he wants a physical, aggressive football team that excels at running the football. During the NFL Combine, one top 2024 NFL Draft prospect revealed why he should be extremely high on the Chargers draft board.
In the hiring of offensive coordinator Greg Roman, offensive line coach Mike Devlin, assistant offensive line coach Nick Hardwick, and director of player performance Ben Herbert, the Chargers aren’t hiding their identity. Los Angeles is making it a priority to win in the trenches with powerful, aggressive players who will play right through the whistle.
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It’s why the team is being heavily connected to offensive tackles with the fifth overall pick and interior linemen on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. While Los Angeles won’t give away what players it has been most impressed with, one interview conducted by NFL Network is a strong indicator of at least one player the Chargers might target this year.
During Sunday’s NFL Combine coverage, Stacy Dales of NFL Network shared the conversation she had with West Virginia center Zach Frazier. The very way Frazier described his favorite style of play is the definition of how Harbaugh wants the Chargers to operate.
“What’s really cool about him is he just wants to run block.. He actually said this week, run blocking is his favorite thing to do. He’d rather tee off on people. He said pass blocking is fun…but he just wants to go to a team that loves to run the football.”
Stacy Dales on West Virginia center Zach Frazier
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Zach Frazier Scouting Report And Draft Projection
Before playing for the West Virginia Mountaineers, Zach Frazier dominated at Fairmont Senior High School in West Virginia as a two-sport star. The 6-foot-3 center was a two-way player for the football team and was named the best lineman in the state, while finishing his career with 54 starts made in high school.
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Remarkably, Frazier was an even better wrestler. During his high school career, he was named the Times West Virginia wrestler of the year and won four state titles in wrestling. Just as impressive, he posted a 159-2 record as a wrestler in high school.
He isn’t just a great athlete, either. In addition to earning All-Big 12 selections in three consecutive seasons, Frazier had a 4.00 GPA, made the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll, and made the President’s List at West Virginia.
A team captain for the Mountaineers, Frazier might’ve been viewed as a first-round talent if not for a fractured fibula he suffered in November. Fortunately, he’s made a full recovery and is one of the biggest risers in the pre-draft process.
If Harbaugh and the Chargers want Frazier to replace Corey Linsley as their long-term center, they will likely have to use the 37th overall pick on him. Considering his strength, athleticism, intelligence, leadership, and his understanding of how to play the position, Frazier could be a high-end starter in Los Angeles quickly.
