DAVIS, Calif. -- As Week 4 of the UC Davis winter practice season arrives, we continue our ongoing series introducing Aggie fans to unsung heroes and up-and-comers within the football program. On a team of more than 100 student-athletes playing a variety of roles, some players are relative unknowns to even the most ardent followers. Once again, we highlight one player from each position group who UC Davis football fans should get to know.
Today, we go to the outside linebackers room to find Da'Von Frazier, a second-year exploratory student from Sacramento.
WHY AGGIE FANS MIGHT NOT KNOW HIM:
Frazier starred as a defensive back, wide receiver and running back at Elk Grove High, and initially entered the program as a defensive back. He saw time in just one game in his redshirt year of 2018, then made the move to linebackers in 2019. Except for some strong numbers in the home opener against Lehigh, he mostly saw reserve action as a redshirt freshman. That is, until...
WHY AGGIE FANS SHOULD KNOW HIM:
Frazier truly began to garner notice when he notched six stops, 3.5 TFLs and a five-yard sack against Tucker Rovig in the November 16 home finale with Montana State. This earned him the starting job a week later at Sac State, and he responded in kind: deflecting a Kevin Thomson pass, grabbing the errant ball, then stepping into the end zone for his first collegiate pick six.
Frazier was bestowed with the team's Bo Eason Award as the most improved defensive player during the season banquet in January. However, he has already earned praise from the strength and conditioning staff almost a full year prior to his receiving this honor: Frazier completely transformed himself during spring conditioning in preparation for his move from the secondary to linebackers. He now brings an invaluable combination of strength and speed to the defense.
ACCORDING TO MATT COOMBS, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS:
"The biggest thing he brings is his athleticism. He can do some different things as far as covering guys and rushing the passer. He's versatile, so we ask him to do a lot of different things, and he has handled it very well. He studies and prepares well. That's probably the most impressive part – the mental side. The work he puts in before practice is huge. He can do a lot of things, and we want to take advantage of that, but you've got to be able to go out and execute. He does a great job at that."
"You look back at the Sacramento State game last year when he tipped the ball and intercepted it in the end zone for a defensive touchdown. He just has a knack for making plays. We're trying to figure out ways to use guys like him, guys who show up around the football. This is what the winter is all about, and he has definitely stood out as a guy who is doing good things."
ABOUT UC DAVIS: Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley. The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation according to the Wall Street Journal, and among the top 10 public universities nationwide according to U.S. News and World Report, UC Davis offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.
AGGIE EVO: Established in 2017-18, the Aggie EVO System is UC Davis Athletics' investment in the primary mission of preparing student-athletes for a successful "launch" after graduation. Thanks to a collaboration of alumni, university resources, corporate partners, coaches and Student-Athlete Outcomes staff, all Aggies are guided over four years to acquire the skills, knowledge, opportunities and tools to better know and navigate the "World of Work" after graduating from UC Davis. Follow the Aggie EVO system on Twitter and Instagram at @AggieEVO.
MARYA WELCH INITIATIVE: Named after the former physical education instructor, coach and Dean of Women who founded women's sports on the campus 25 years before the passage of Title IX, the Marya Welch Initiative for Women's Athletics provides comprehensive support for UC Davis' 16 women's athletics programs. Through the support of the Marya Welch Initiative and its group members, student-athletes are provided the best possible opportunity to succeed inside the classroom, and in competition, through special project gifts and by increasing visibility and participation at women's events throughout the year. All gifts to the Marya Welch Initiative are matched 1:1, doubling the impact on our women's programs. Visit this site for more information.
DON'T MISS OUT: Tickets for all UC Davis sports are on sale by contacting the Athletics Ticket Office at (530) 752-AGS1 or by visiting us online at tickets.ucdavis.edu.
