No matter what sort of success one achieves in sports, there is something to be said for someone who doesn't forget where they started their journey, and for someone who actively returns home to help foster the development of the next generation of stars for their former team. That's why it's hard to find a better example of what a West Virginia Mountaineer should be than Zach Frazier.
Frazier is a Fairmont, W.Va native and was a four-year starter for the Mountainers along their offensive line, and just wrapped up his second season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL. And amid a busy offseason at the highest level of the sport, Frazier still recently found time to return to Morgantown and visit the WVU football program.
Former All-American center for the West Virginia Mountaineers returns home
West Virginia football recently shared a post on social media highlighting a visit from Frazier to the football building. One video shows Frazier getting a workout in at the Milan Puskar Center, while a still frame shows Frazier in the middle of what appears to be a power shrug or deadlift while a number of current WVU players watch and cheer him on.
Always great to have @zfrazier54 in the building 👏 pic.twitter.com/2GJLT65Ar3
— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) February 11, 2026
Frazier, who played for the Mountaineers from 2020-2023 and was a two-time All-American for the program before becoming a second-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, demonstrates the exact type of energy that is need for the program with his visit.
Former players, particularly ones who have found the success that Frazier has both inside and outside of the program, so try to carve out time to visit the facilities regularly and help make a positive impact and share their secrets to success with the next generation of Mountaineers. And former players, even ones who never played for current head coach Rich Rodriguez, should be welcomed with open arms for such visits.