Georgia Bulldogs’ Rising Star: Nate Frazier’s Journey from Compton to SEC Stardom
Nate Frazier still vividly remembers his first college football carry against Clemson last season. As the true freshman from Compton, California, took the field for the Georgia Bulldogs, his nervousness was palpable. “My heart was beating out of my chest and I couldn’t even feel my body,” Frazier shared while discussing his partnership with Powerade’s “It Takes More” campaign. The moment was surreal for him—many players spend years at Georgia without ever getting playing time. That first handoff resulted in him tripping because he “couldn’t feel his feet,” but Frazier knew he had to push through the nerves and expectations that come with SEC football. His motivation? His mother wouldn’t accept anything less than his best effort, no matter the circumstances.
Behind Frazier’s drive is his mother, Yomeisha Moore, whom he describes as his “biggest hero.” As a single mother during his early years, she relied on her own mother and sisters to help raise her only son, but her determination and resilience left an indelible mark on Frazier’s character. “Her determination and work ethic made me feel like I had no choice—I can’t give up,” Frazier explained. “No matter what comes my way, there’s no backing out because I literally watched her do it.” This unwavering support system formed the foundation of his mental toughness. “My mother never, ever in her life told me, ‘Son, I can’t do this.’ My mother has always made a way for me no matter what it was,” he reflected. “No matter if you had a meteor coming down from the sky, my mom would be able to work it out and be able to protect me.”
After that nerve-wracking first carry, Frazier quickly found his footing, finishing the Clemson game with an impressive 83 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in Georgia’s 34-3 victory. That performance was just the beginning of a stellar freshman campaign where he accumulated 671 rushing yards on 133 attempts and scored eight touchdowns, establishing himself as a key piece of Georgia’s future. While the expectations are higher for him entering the 2025 season, Frazier maintains a team-first mentality. Despite being a potential NFL prospect after next season, he’s focused solely on helping the Bulldogs surpass last year’s accomplishment of winning the SEC Championship.
Frazier’s motivation extends far beyond personal accolades or even team success. When he takes the field each Saturday, he carries the hopes of his mother watching from over 2,000 miles away, but also the aspirations of countless young people facing circumstances similar to what he experienced growing up. “I play for all the kids back home no matter where they’re at,” Frazier said. “Not even my hometown, but for kids that don’t believe they can do it and just think it’s impossible and unheard of. I play for all the kids that grew up in the type of situations I grew up in, where majority of the stuff is the street life.” His mission is to show these young people that there are alternatives to the streets—that through athletics, whether football, track, or other sports, they can create better opportunities for themselves.
Family remains at the core of Frazier’s motivation. During the toughest moments of the season, he draws strength from remembering the struggles his family overcame together. “They never gave up on me and were always in my corner, always in my circle. They were positive to me no matter what it was,” he shared. This unwavering support system has been crucial to his development both as a player and as a person. As Frazier and the Bulldogs prepare to kick off their 2025 season against Marshall at Sanford Stadium, he carries these personal connections and responsibilities with him onto the field.
Frazier’s emergence as a standout player has opened doors beyond football, including NIL opportunities such as his partnership with Powerade’s “It Takes More” campaign, now in its third year. “I never really thought I’d be able to have opportunities like this,” Frazier admitted. “Powerade is a drink that’s used by athletes around the world, not even just the country. To be able to be in this position is amazing, and it doesn’t feel real.” The campaign’s message resonates deeply with Frazier’s experience as a freshman in the SEC, widely considered college football’s most challenging conference. “It takes extra hours of film. It takes extra hours being with your coach. It takes extra hours of field work,” he explained, embodying the campaign’s ethos. For Frazier, success comes from going beyond what’s expected—studying the playbook more thoroughly, analyzing opponents more deeply, and constantly refining his skills. As he continues his journey at Georgia, Nate Frazier isn’t just representing himself or even the Bulldogs—he’s carrying the hopes and dreams of his family, his community, and countless young people who see in him what they might become.
