Zach Frazier Bio
Zach Frazier, born on August 29, 2001, is an American professional football center currently playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). Frazier played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers and quickly emerged as a standout player, leading to his selection in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he made significant contributions to his team, earning accolades that reflect his talent and hard work.
Listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 310 pounds, Frazier is recognized for his physical presence in the trenches and his football intelligence. He made an immediate impression in the NFL, starting the majority of his rookie games and helping the Steelers reach the postseason. His rapid rise from a small-town West Virginia high school to a starting NFL center has drawn attention throughout the league.
Early Life and Background
Zach Frazier was born in Fairmont, West Virginia, and grew up in a family with a strong athletic tradition. He is related to several state champion wrestlers through his mother’s side of the family, while his father played football for the Fairmont State Fighting Falcons. This combination of wrestling and football heritage helped shape Frazier’s competitive mindset and physical toughness from an early age.
Beyond athletics, Frazier was an exceptional student. On his first day of kindergarten, he declared that he would win an award for having perfect grades throughout elementary school, and he accomplished that goal. By the time he had one semester left in high school, Frazier had earned a 4.5 grade-point average, demonstrating a commitment to excellence in the classroom that matched his dedication on the field.
Path to American Football
Frazier attended Fairmont Senior High School, where he played both football and wrestling at a high level. On the gridiron, he played two ways and was selected first-team All-Class AA three times, while also helping his school reach the state championship game three times in four years, winning it in 2018. His 54 career starts set a school record, and as a senior he was named the Stydahar Award winner as the best lineman in the state of West Virginia.
In wrestling, Frazier was equally dominant, capturing four consecutive heavyweight state championships. He was named the 2019–20 Times West Virginian Wrestler of the Year after becoming the first athlete in school history to win four wrestling titles. He finished his high school wrestling career with a 159–2 record, the highest winning percentage in Marion County history. Frazier committed to play college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers, where he was ranked as the second-best recruit in the state.
Zach Frazier Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Frazier’s college career began in dramatic fashion in 2020 when an injury to Chase Behrndt thrust him into the starting center role in the very first game of his true freshman season. He became the first player to start at center for West Virginia in over 40 years as a true freshman. Frazier later shifted to guard when Behrndt returned, but he still started all 10 games of the season without allowing a sack in nine of them. His performance earned him first-team Freshman All-American honors and honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition.
In 2021, Frazier returned to center and started every game at the position, appearing on every offensive snap for the Mountaineers. He led the team with 60 knockdown blocks while allowing just two sacks and grading at 90 percent or higher in all but two games. That season, he was named second-team All-Big 12, second-team All-American, and first-team Academic All-Big 12, while also serving as West Virginia’s nominee for Big 12 Athlete of the Year.
West Virginia Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Frazier continued his strong play in 2022, starting all 12 games for the Mountaineers and allowing only one sack. He was chosen first-team All-Big 12 as the team averaged 171.5 rushing yards per game, and he led the squad with 51 knockdown blocks. He also repeated as a first-team Academic All-Big 12 honoree, continuing his pattern of excellence in both athletics and academics.
Entering the 2023 season, Frazier was recognized as a preseason first-team All-American and was placed on the Lombardi Award watch list. Midway through the season, he was named one of just 16 finalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, often referred to as the Academic Heisman. He was a key leader of the West Virginia offensive line before declaring for the NFL Draft following the 2023 season.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024–Present)
Zach Frazier was selected in the second round with the 51st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He signed his four-year rookie contract on June 10, 2024. Originally expected to back up Nate Herbig at center, Frazier was thrust into the starting lineup after Herbig suffered a preseason injury that landed him on injured reserve. He made his professional debut in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons and started the first six games of the season.
During a Week 6 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Frazier was briefly relieved by Ryan McCollum after a defender fell on his ankle, but he avoided a major injury. After missing several weeks and returning in November, Frazier finished his rookie season appearing in 15 games, playing 975 offensive snaps, allowing only one sack, and committing just five penalties. The Steelers finished 10–7 and earned a playoff berth, with Frazier appearing in the AFC Wild Card loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He was voted the team’s offensive rookie of the year on New Year’s Eve, becoming only the second center in franchise history to earn the honor, joining Maurkice Pouncey.
Driving Style and Strengths
Frazier is recognized for his football intelligence, technique, and consistency at the center position. He demonstrated an ability to handle complex protections and communicate calls at the line of scrimmage as a rookie. His wrestling background has given him strong hand placement, leverage, and balance, all of which are valuable traits for an NFL center. Coaches have praised his poise and work ethic, qualities that helped him earn a starting role in his first professional season.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Frazier’s young career came when he was named to the Pro Football Writers Association NFL All-Rookie Team on January 21, 2025, making him the second consecutive Steeler to receive the honor after Joey Porter Jr. He was also named the recipient of the Joe Greene Great Performance Award. His journey from Fairmont Senior High School to the NFL is highlighted by his rare combination of athletic achievement and academic distinction.
Zach Frazier Career Wins
Across his college and professional career, Zach Frazier has built a résumé marked by team success and individual recognition. While individual statistical totals in terms of traditional wins are more commonly tracked in other sports, Frazier’s impact is reflected in his All-Big 12 and All-Rookie honors, as well as his role in leading his teams to championship games and the NFL playoffs.
West Virginia Highlights
During his time at West Virginia, Frazier earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2021 and 2022, followed by first-team All-Big 12 recognition in 2023. He was also a Freshman All-American in 2020 and a second-team All-American in 2021. His contributions helped anchor an offensive line that consistently produced strong rushing attacks, with the team averaging 171.5 rushing yards per game in 2022. Frazier’s individual blocking statistics, including knockdown block totals, ranked among the team leaders every season.
Other Wins and Performances
In high school, Frazier won four consecutive state wrestling championships, and his football teams won one state championship and reached three title games in four years. In the NFL, his rookie season culminated in a playoff appearance and selection to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. As of the 2025 season, Frazier had appeared in 32 career games with 31 starts.
Zach Frazier Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Zach Frazier comes from a deeply athletic family in Fairmont, West Virginia. He is related to several state champion wrestlers through his mother’s side of the family, while his father played football at the collegiate level for the Fairmont State Fighting Falcons. This lineage of competitive athletes helped lay the foundation for his own success in both football and wrestling.
Personal Life
Frazier grew up and was educated in Fairmont, West Virginia, where he built a reputation as both a top student and a dominant athlete. He has maintained a strong academic record throughout his life, including a 4.5 GPA in high school and multiple Academic All-Big 12 honors in college. Frazier continues to represent his hometown as he plays in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
Entering his second professional season in 2025, Zach Frazier returned to the Steelers’ starting lineup at center. He began taking first-team reps during training camp and was officially named the starter on the team’s first depth chart released on September 2. His early work with quarterback Aaron Rodgers drew some attention, but Frazier told Pittsburgh media that any struggles were uncharacteristic and that he planned to correct them quickly.
Frazier started Week 1 against the New York Jets, helping the Steelers secure a 34–32 victory. His Week 1 performance was recognized league-wide, as he was ranked among the top centers in the NFL that week by Pro Football Focus. He placed third behind Tyler Linderbaum and Creed Humphrey in PFF’s center rankings for the opening week.
Building on the momentum of his rookie season, Frazier’s continued development will be a key storyline for the Steelers in 2025. The team has shown confidence in his abilities by entrusting him with the starting center role for a second consecutive year, and his partnership with the offensive coaching staff is expected to be a defining factor in Pittsburgh’s success.
