California high school football recruiting notebook: Mater Dei's Nate Frazier narrows field

State's top-rated senior running back cuts his list in third; California's Top 10 uncommitted; Latest to commit

California’s No. 4 rated football recruit — according to 247Sports composite — from the Class of 2024 announced his eight finalists for a college destination this week.

The speedy and powerful 5-foot-11, 208-pound running back Nate Frazier of Mater Dei-Santa Ana announced on social media his favorites (in alphabetical order) as Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Miami, Nebraska, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas A&M.

He’s the state’s No. 1 ranked senior running back and No. 4 nationally.

Nate Frazier (6) is getting front and center on his college commitment. Photo: Heston Quan.  / Heston Quan, SBLive Sports

Frazier hasn’t announced when he’ll make his final decision. According to 247Sports, he’s made official visits to Alabama (June 23) and Oregon (June 16), and unofficial ones to Texas A&M (June 13) and Georgia (June 10 and April 23), Alabama (April 16) and Tennessee (April 13).

He has 24 offers overall, but clearly based on his visits and finalists appears attracted to the Southeastern Conference.

He’s attractive to all suitors for his breakaway speed — he’s run a wind-aided 10.58-second 100 meter dash — combined with strength. A recent Twitter post shows him bench pressing 225 pounds 19 times. Reel Analytics timed him at 20.8 miles per hour during a 53-yard touchdown run last season.

Getting Combine Ready 19x225 got more in me on a good day fresh off training 💪🏾 gotta keep them feet down ( Bad Technique ) 😂 #viral pic.twitter.com/v3PDlivudR

— Nathaniel Frazier (@NateUA1_) June 9, 2023

His numbers on the field aren’t gaudy like many other top recruits, because of Mater Dei’s massive onslaught of talent in the backfield, plus a prolific passing game and that he’s not needed in a majority of lopsided wins.

He rushed for 693 yards but on just 61 carries (team-best 11.4 per carry) and eight touchdowns. The majority of the carries went to Jordon Davison (170 for 1,514 yards, 17 touchdowns), the nation’s No. 1 running back recruit from the Class of 2025.

Yes, the country’s fourth-best rated running back is a backup on Mater Dei. Remarkable.

Even with a new coach — Frank McManus replaced legendary Bruce Rollinson on Feb. 16 — Mater Dei is assuredly the 2023 preseason No. 1 ranked team nationally after finishing No. 2 last season. The Monarchs boast five of the Top 90 senior prospects in the country.

THE UNDECIDED: Of California’s Top 100 senior recruits, 65 already have committed to college programs, though three of the top four have not, including Frazier.

Here’s a breakdown of the Top 10 uncommitted California recruits from the Class of 2024 as of July 13.

• No. 2 OT Brandon Baker (Mater Dei), 5-star, 27 offers, visited Ohio State (June 9), Texas (June 16) and Georgia (June 23). Other possible landing spots: Miami and Oregon.

• No. 3 DL Aydin Breland (Mater Dei), 5-star, 25 offers, visited Texas A&M (June 2), Miami (June 9), Georgia (June 16) and Oregon (June 23). Other landing spots: Colorado.

• No. 4 RB Nate Frazier (see above)

• No. 13 OL DeAndre Carter (Mater Dei), 4-star, 28 offers, visited Auburn (June 16), Michigan State (June 23). Scheduled visit: Texas (Sept. 30).

• No. 14 LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (St. John Bosco), 4-star, 23 offers, visited USC (June 9), Notre Dame (June 16), Ohio State (June 23). 

• No. 15 DL Jericho Johnson (Armijo), 4-star, 20 offers, visited Washington (June 23). Other landing spots: Georgia, Miami, Oregon.

• No. 19 WR Kwazi Gilmer (Sierra Canyon), 4-star, 17 offers, visited UCLA (May 26), Michigan State (June 2), Stanford (June 9) and Washington (June 16). Other landing spots: Cal.

• No. 24 S Jason Mitchell (St. John Bosco), 4-star, 22 offers, no visits. 

• No. 37 CB Isaiah Rubin (Los Alamitos), 3-star, 10 offers, no visits.

• No. 43 ATH Lamar Radcliffe (Sacramento), 3 star, 10 offers, visited Utah (June 23). Other landing spots: Oregon, USC. 

Scheduled commitments: Orange Vista (Perris) athlete Sire Gaines is scheduled to commit Saturday night. He has 10 offers but had official visits to San Diego State (June 6), Washington State (June 9), Arizona State (June 16) and Boise State (June 23). 

Others who have scheduled: 

• Clovis West athlete Landon Wright on July 21. Among his finalists are Washington State, Fresno State, San Jose State or San Diego State. 

• Radcliffe on July 22.

• Viliamu-Asa on July 23.

• Mitchell on Sept. 16.

More California recruits: Who committed after July 4: 

• CB Zabien Brown (Mater Dei) to Alabama STORY

• TE Davon Mitchell (Los Alamitos) to Oklahoma STORY

• LB Kamar Mothudi (Los Alamitos) to Oregon STORY

• QB Thomas Rosso (Chadwood School) to Fordham

• DL Connor Warkentin (Centennial-Bakersfield) to Boise State