Shug Frazier Says NC State is at the Top

4-star 2016 Defensive Tackle Shug Frazier (6’3″/320) took an official visit to NC State a couple of weeks back when the Wolfpack played Eastern Kentucky.  I recently caught up with Frazier to get his take on his experience in Raleigh, and how the Wolfpack stand against the other teams recruiting him.

“I got there and ate with the team at the hotel they were staying at.  I got to sit in on the team meeting before the game.  I was able to talk to a lot of the guys and get their feel on how NC State was.  I talked one-on-one with Coach Nielsen and Coach Doeren.  Those are really really great guys.  They are passionate about the game.  It was a really great experience.  The next day we went over to the Walk of Champions and that was pretty amazing,” said Frazier. “I was down on the field and I think the craziest part was when the fireworks went off.  I wasn’t expecting that.  It was really loud.  I can’t lie.  I was shaken up a little bit.  The guy beside me warned me, but it didn’t really prepare me at all.  The game was really good.  It was really live.  It was really hype.  After the game I got to hang out with the players at College Inn, and got to see what life after football would be like on campus.  We also got to ride through the tailgaters, and that was really fun to see how loyal those fans were.  I enjoyed every aspect of my visit.”

Frazier’s official visit to NC State was his first, and he plans on taking all 4 at this point.

“I plan on taking officials to Florida, Miami, and LSU,” said Frazier. “I might take my last one to Southern Cal, but I’m still not sure on that.”

Every time I talk to a Defensive Lineman that NC State is recruiting, they always speak very highly of Wolfpack Defensive Line Coach Ryan Nielsen, and Frazier was no different.

“Coach Nielsen has a passion for the game that trickles down to the players,” said Nielsen. “When a coach loves the game like he does, it gives an extra step to his players.”

When I asked Frazier how NC State compared with the rest of the other schools he was planning on visiting, and he said that the Wolfpack sits at the top of the list.

“NC State can throw blows with the best of them.  Right now they have one of the best defenses in the nation.  They’re playing younger guys.  The coach-to-player relationship is really big.  Even though I haven’t been to another school yet, I can see that the player-to-coach relationship is there, and that is obviously something you have to look at.  College life at NC State seems really great.  NC State is definitely at the top of my list right now.