Zach Frazier has wrapped up a standout career at West Virginia and now will look to hear his name get called at the 2024 NFL Draft. Frazier started all but one game at center over the last three seasons and was an All-Big 12 selection.
Now West Virginia has some replacing to do at the center position. Brandon Yates will look to be the one to fill that role.
Yates has played all over the offensive line during his time at West Virginia. He started at left tackle in 2020 and 2021, then switched to right tackle in 2022, then kicked inside to right guard in 2023.
He got a start at center in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl win over North Carolina and now he has seen action at every position on the offensive line except at left guard.
Brandon Yates has embraced the role of filling the shoes at center and is working to become a better leader in the locker room as he prepares to enter his sixth season with the program.
“I know I got to go and fill those shoes,” Yates said. “Also, I got to be a leader in that room, so it kicked up my game another level and I had a great offseason based on that.”
Zach Frazier and Brandon Yates have had different play styles on the offensive line. Frazier is the one with the wrestling background while Yates describes himself as an athletic get around and stretch kind of guy.
Yates says he is trying to incorporate some of that wrestling play style into his game as he transitions to being the full-time starting center.
Wyatt Milum returns at left tackle and Tomas Rimac returns at left guard for next season. West Virginia will also have a new regular starting guard and a new right tackle.
Brandon Yates says that he doesn’t expect much to change in terms of last year’s offensive line versus this year’s offensive line, but they’re hoping to unleash the playbook a little more.
“We’re going to unleash our playbook a little more. We’re going to be able to do a lot more things and getting guys loose and getting on some screens and running.”
West Virginia is in the midst of spring practices and the 2024 Spring Game is set for Saturday, April 27 at noon at the Milan Puskar Stadium.
