ESPN thinks a Georgia Bulldogs running back can win the Heisman during the 2025 college football season
After Colorado’s Travis Hunter won the 2024 Heisman trophy, Mark Schlabach of ESPN named his way-too-early 2025 Heisman candidates. He put Georgia Bulldogs running back Nate Frazier on the list.
“If junior tailback Trevor Etienne declares for the NFL draft, Frazier should enter the 2025 season as the Bulldogs’ primary back,” says Schlabach, “He showed plenty of promise as a freshman, running 129 times for 634 yards with eight scores. Frazier, from Compton, California, improved tremendously as a pass blocker and caught 10 passes out of the backfield. He lost a couple of untimely fumbles, though, so ball security will continue to be a focus going forward.”
Trevor Etienne still has one more year of eligibility, so he could choose to stay to improve his draft stock and play a full season. However, he gets a big opportunity to raise his draft stock in the College Football Playoff.
If Indiana wins vs. Notre Dame, Georgia would be going against the No. 1 ranked run-defense in the nation, and if Trevor Etienne has a great game against the Hoosiers, his draft stock could explode.
Regardless, Nate Frazier should be the lead back if Etienne decides to declare for the draft or transfer. Frazier will get the opportunity to become one of the top running backs in the nation.
Three UGA freshmen selected to the SEC All-Freshman Team including Georgia running back Nate Frazier
Three Georgia Bulldogs freshmen earned spots on the 2024 SEC All-Freshman Team. Running back Nate Frazier represented the Bulldogs’ offense, while linebacker Chris Cole and safety KJ Bolden were honored for their performances on defense.
As top-50 prospects in high school, the trio of UGA selections come as no surprise. Bolden and Cole appeared in every game for Georgia this season. Cole primarily contributed on special teams but saw limited action at linebacker, stepping in when Smael Mondon was sidelined with an injury. Cole has 16 tackles and two fumble returns this season.
Bolden emerged as a key player in the Georgia secondary, making one start and finishing sixth on the team in snaps. Bolden has recorded 54 tackles, one sack and one interceptions this season.
Meanwhile, Frazier became a crucial part of Georgia’s run game late in the season, scoring touchdowns in each of the final five regular-season games. Frazier has a team-high 129 carries for 634 rushing yards and eight touchdowns this season.
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The selection of the three Bulldogs to the All-Freshman Team follows a conference-leading 13 Georgia players earning All-SEC honors earlier this week. The future is bright with this young trio leading the way for Georgia football.
Four takeaways from Georgia football’s dramatic win over Georgia Tech.
The No. 8 Georgia Bulldogs (10-2) beat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-5) in an all-time classic edition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.
The Yellow Jackets had a 17-0 lead at the end of the first half and held a 27-13 lead with less than six minutes left in the fourth quarter. However, the Bulldogs’ offense finally woke up, scoring two touchdowns in six minutes, including one on a short field after safety Dan Jackson forced a fumble.
In the first two overtimes, Georgia and Georgia Tech scored touchdowns relatively quickly. The two teams were in a stalemate once teams were forced to do alternating two-point conversions with both teams failing to score in all but one of the next five overtimes.
In overtime No. 8, Georgia finally punched it in with a Nate Frazier rushing conversion. The freezing and tired UGA fans left the stadium gleeful at midnight, with Georgia winning 44-42.
To some, this win was not impressive. Georgia Tech had 158 more yards than Georgia and 152 more rushing yards. Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King, battling a shoulder injury before the game, had his best performance of the season with 413 total yards and five total touchdowns. Overall, Georgia Tech drove the ball within Georgia’s 25 on seven of their ten drives before overtime.
The Georgia offense saved the day for the Bulldogs. Carson Beck had five touchdown passes and 297 yards. He has 11 touchdowns and no interceptions since Georgia lost to Ole Miss. Beck could’ve had more if it weren’t for some crucial drops by Arian Smith and Dominic Lovett.
Georgia wraps up its season with a 10-2 record. Winning against Georgia Tech was huge for its playoff ambitions. If Georgia lost against Tech and lost the SEC championship, then the Bulldogs would be 9-4 and more than likely out of the College Football Playoff. Georgia still has issues of playing down to competition.
Georgia Tech wraps up its season at 7-5. The Yellow Jackets were a feel-good story in college football, with two wins against top 10 opponents (Florida State, Miami) and a devil-may-care attitude in the running game. Tech looks much improved under Brent Key.
Here are four key takeaways from Georgia’s win over Georgia tech:
In a month after his worst performance against Ole Miss, Beck is bouncing back. He has 11 touchdowns and no interceptions in the last three games, including five touchdowns in Georgia’s win over Georgia Tech. Beck was the biggest reason Georgia wasn’t upset.
Georgia’s run defense is an issue
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Many people were clamoring for the Georgia Bulldogs run defense to show improvement after the UMass Minutemen gashed Georgia for 226 yards. Unfortunately, those people didn’t get their wish. Georgia Tech’s rush offense was a nuisance all game.
Georgia Tech coach Brent Key called several designed runs with Jamal Haynes and Haynes King to confuse Georgia’s linebackers. On the runs up the gut, the Georgia Tech offensive line bullied the Georgia front seven most of the time.
Open-field tackling was a big issue. Georgia was consistently beaten on the first and second levels in the running game. The Bulldogs solved this by putting more defenders in the box. Not only did that decision stifle the Georgia Tech running game; butit also forced Haynes King to make quicker decisions due to blitzes.
Georgia gained much-needed running back depth
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
The Bulldogs have struggled with injuries to running back depth throughout this entire season. Against Georgia Tech, Georgia got some much-needed help in the backfield. Cash Jones was dynamic in the receiving game with a beautiful wheel route on Georgia’s second touchdown in overtime. Roderick Robinson II was solid in his first game back from a turf toe injury.
Those two running backs helped take the load off Nate Frazier, who only had 50 yards on 11 carries. Frazier came through in the clutch with the game-winning two-point conversion.
This is why people love college football
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Regardless of which side people cheered for in the Georgia-Georgia Tech game, this game was legendary. This game was an instant classic, from the cold weather to the heart-stopping plays to the midnight ending.
Eight overtimes is the second most overtimes any matchup has gone to in college football history. College football fans are thankful that it also happened during a rivalry game. The newest edition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate might’ve been the most entertaining.
Georgia’s running back duo comes through in critical moments in UGA’s 8OT win over Georgia Tech
In a banged up running back room, Georgia counted on Nate Frazier and Cash Jones in Georgia’s eight overtime win over Georgia Tech. Frazier and Jones both delivered key plays in overtime with starter Trevor Etienne sidelined due to a ribs injury.
Frazier and Jones both stepped up in the passing and run game to help elevate the Bulldogs in their 44-42 victory.
Georgia running back Cash Jones scores during overtime of a NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech. Online Athens
Cash Jones stepped up in big moments with blocking in the pass game or being the complementary back.
Against Georgia Tech, Jones was a security blanket all night turning those check downs into first downs for the offense. He was Carson Beck’s most reliable receiver all night.
Jones’ biggest reception was the 25-yard wheel route that turned into a touchdown in the second overtime. Jones ended the game with four receptions, team-leading 53 yards, and one touchdown. This marks the sixth game where Jones had more than 20 receiving yards this season.
Georgia running back Nate Frazier celebrates after scoring a game-winning touchdown during the second half of a NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech. Online Athens
Nate Frazier was a consistent light when the times were looking dark when the offense could not get anything going.
Frazier has scored a touchdown in all but one game when he touches the football 10 times or more. Frazier ended the Georgia Tech game with 13 touches, 68 yards, and one touchdown.
In overtime the offense went away from Frazier. Frazier finally got his hands on the football in the eighth overtime period. He ended the game when he found a cutback lane and he scored the game-winning two point conversion.
How can Georgia football win and cover against Georgia Tech?
The Georgia Bulldogs are large 17.5-point home favorites against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Week 14 of the college football season.
Momentum on the Offense
For the past two games, we have seen the Georgia offense humming with multiple contributors at a high rate. Quarterback Carson Beck is the engine that makes the UGA offense go. In his last two games, Beck totaled 644 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, with a passer rating over 90 in both contests. In the UMass game, freshman running back Nate Frazier had a 100 plus yards on the ground and three touchdowns.
Front Seven
The UGA front seven steps up in moments when Georgia needs them the most. In the Texas and Tennessee games you saw the likes of Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams step up. The front seven is zoned in and shut out Tennessee in the second half.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere in Sanford Stadium is always electric, especially when the stakes are high. The crowd plays a major role in creating a hostile environment, making it difficult for opposing teams to execute under pressure.
The energy is amplified when Georgia fans are fully invested in the rivalry, making it a tough challenge for any team to come in and compete. This energy, combined with Georgia’s talent, creates an intimidating atmosphere that benefits the Bulldogs. There’s a reason that Georgia has won 30 straight home games.
Auburn and head coach Hugh Freeze are making a late push for Georgia Bulldogs RB commit
Four-star running back Ousmane Kromah from Lee County (Leesburg, Georgia) made a visit to the Auburn Tigers over the weekend.
The No. 4 running back in the nation, Kromah arrived on Auburn’s campus Saturday and stayed through Sunday afternoon. The four-star Georgia commit was in attendance at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday night to witness the Tigers’ thrilling four-overtime victory against No. 15 Texas A&M.
A late visit to Auburn should not be taken lightly. The Tigers and coach Hugh Freeze have been known to flip recruits before the early signing period.
Kromah and Bo Walker are Georgia’s two running back commitments in the 2025 cycle. Kirby Smart and Georgia have the No. 1 recruiting class in the country.
The four-star running back has an excellent combination of speed and balance. Keeping Kromah in this recruiting class is key. Kromah and Nate Frazier would make a very good future tandem at running back.
Georgia Bulldogs football running back Nate Frazier has over 100 yards, three touchdowns in big UGA win
In the Georgia Bulldogs’ 59-21 win against the UMass Minutemen, freshman running back Nate Frazier accounted for 136 yards on 22 carries with three touchdowns. Frazier Georgia’s the first 100-yard rusher this season. Frazier hit over 80 yards against Clemson and Florida.
The last Georgia freshman running back to score three touchdowns in a single game and rush for over 100 yards was Todd Gurley in 2012 against Buffalo.
Against UMass, the Georgia offense leaned on the freshman running back and he delivered especially in the second half. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry, which is the highest out of any UGA rusher this season. This game showed Frazier’s explosiveness adds another dynamic in this offense that has not been there in the running back room since D’Andre Swift.
“He’s still learning things. He still messes up. But he’s electric,” said Georgia head coach Kirby Smart on Frazier. “He’s different when the ball hits his hands. He bursts in the hole. He’s probably sometimes too fast. He’s not patient sometimes. But you talk about a kid that runs hard, works hard, and loves it. And those linemen love playing with him.”
With Frazier in the UGA backfield for the next two years, the future is set.
Georgia football has won 30 straight home games after crushing UMass
In a 59-21 win against the UMass Minutemen, Georgia’s offense delivered an explosive performance. Carson Beck looked sharp, delivering big plays through the air. In the first quarter, he connected with tight end Oscar Delp on a 17-yard touchdown pass.
Continuing the momentum, Beck threw a 15-yard touchdown to wide receiver Dominic Lovett, extending the lead to 21-7. Beck capped the offensive outburst with a 34-yard touchdown strike to Arian Smith, sending Georgia into the break with a 28-14 lead.
Beck became only the third quarterback in SEC history in the last 10 seasons, alongside Brandon Allen (2015) and Tua Tagovailoa (2019), to throw for four touchdowns in the first four possessions of the first half.
Kirby Smart’s Halftime Thoughts
“We gotta tackle better. If we tackle better, we put them in more third and longs. We haven’t played any good defense,” said Smart at halftime.
The numbers back up his critique. UMass gained 166 yards on the ground in the first half, outpacing Tennessee’s 152 yards the previous week. Issues included missed tackles, poor angles, and a lack of intensity plagued Georgia early in the game.
On Georgia’s offense
“They have been playing complementary football all year. They have picked us up when needed to,” said Smart.
Second-Half Turnaround
The Georgia defense tightened up in the second half, allowing only 60 rushing yards and limiting UMass’s passing game. The defense did allow a 75-yard touchdown pass from quarterback AJ Hairston to Jakobie Keeney-James, who beat defenders Daniel Harris and Dan Jackson.
On offense, the Bulldogs shifted to a ground-heavy attack to assert their dominance in the second half. Freshman running back Nate Frazier powered the offense with three rushing touchdowns, helping to stretch the lead beyond 20 points.
The exclamation point came from the defense, as sophomore edge rusher Gabe Harris Jr. recorded a sack and forced a fumble. Freshman linebacker Chris Cole scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown, sealing the 59-21 victory.
Georgia football wants to do three simple things against UMass
Saturday’s matchup against UMass may not be the most exciting on paper, but it presents Georgia with some reasonable goals to accomplish.
Continue last week’s momentum
After Georgia’s 31-17 win against No. 11 Tennessee last week, Georgia enters the UMass game with momentum. The Tennessee game was arguably Georgia’s most complete performance. The defense pitched a shutout in the second half and Carson Beck being dialed it up. Many think Georgia could have a sense of taking it easy against UMass, but if Georgia wants to be part of the nation’s elite, then execute with the same mindset they had against Tennessee.
Get the young guys in
If UGA’s starters can take care of business, then there will be a chance to see the young guys. Everyone knows about freshmen KJ Bolden, Chris Cole, and Nate Frazier, but freshman wide receiver Nitro Tuggle is gaining playing time and UMass should provide more of a chance to see the younger guys. Running back Chauncey Bowens, linebacker Justin Williams, and cornerback Ellis Robinson IV are three freshman players to watch.
No injuries
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dillon Bell suffered an ankle injury against the Tennessee Volunteers. Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Georgia has been hit with the injury bug all season. UGA will be without two starters this Saturday. Staring running back Trevor Etienne and wide receiver Dillon Bell are out for the UMass game. There’s no doubt head coach Kirby Smart wants to leave the UMass game with no injuries ahead of the Georgia Tech game on Friday.
Why No. 12 Georgia beats No. 7 Tennessee to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive
The Georgia Bulldogs are large home favorites against the Tennessee Volunteers in their first home night game of the season. Georgia’s postseason fate relies on this game. The Bulldogs are 9.5-point favorites against the 8-1 Volunteers.
Here are three reasons why the Bulldogs will cover and win the game on Saturday.
Head coach Kirby Smart always harps on the fans to be elite to help out his team during big matchups like the one this Saturday. Expect the crowd to play a major factor and force Tennessee to get costly penalties to play behind the chains to put themselves into tougher scenarios. Tennessee starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s status is still in question and if backup Gaston Moore has to play, then that is too much to ask.
Tennessee has played in just two true road games this season, so the Volunteers may struggle in a hostile environment.
Sense of Urgency
(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
The Bulldogs find themselves in an unfamiliar position, one they haven’t experienced in recent memory. Georgia is currently on the outside looking in at the playoff picture. Expect UGA to approach the game with a major sense of urgency.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel is well aware of the challenge a team like the Bulldogs presents. “We’re preparing to face a great opponent. In every phase of the game, they’re extremely talented and exceptionally well-coached,” Heupel said. His high praise is a clear indication that the Bulldogs will aim to deliver their most complete performance in this critical matchup.
Run game
Tennessee has the second-best run defense in the SEC and is allowing just 100 rushing yards per game. However, in four of six SEC games Tennessee has given up over 100 yards on the ground.
With a trend like that you expect Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo to implement in the game plan that running the ball effectively and efficiently is high on tasks to accomplish to make Saturday successful. Georgia starting running back Trevor Etienne is officially out, so that task will belong to freshman running back Nate Frazier.
Frazier has dealt with starter reps against No. 20 Clemson and Florida. In both games he gained over 80 rushing yards and a touchdown.
