Loss of Frazier leaves hole on defensive line
With six straight Commander in Chief Trophies and as many consecutive bowl appearances, those once-lofty goals have become routine for the Navy football team. But with an upgraded schedule, that includes eight teams that made bowl trips last year, and news this week of the dismissal of nose guard Nate Frazier, the Midshipmen might be resigned to their modest goals again.
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Frazier, a 6-3, 292-pound senior who had started 26 straight games and led the team in tackles for a loss in 2008, was generally considered the squad’s best player and the key to an experienced defense that figured to be vastly improved.
First in line to fill Frazier’s slot is junior Chase Burge (6-4, 270), a special teams player who began the preseason No. 2 on the depth chart at the nose. The second option is senior Jordan Stephens (6-4, 256), who saw action in eight games last year as a backup defensive end.
Coach Ken Niumatalolo will also take a look at a pair of seniors, both former starters at defensive end, who enter this season as question marks due to injury.
Senior Matt Walsh (6-2, 251) was Navy’s best defensive lineman in 2007 and started the first four games 2008 before suffering a severe toe injury that forced him to temporarily leave the academy. Matt Nechak (6-4, 252), a starting defensive end last year, missed spring practice with a knee injury.
The only slot on Navy’s defensive line that is settled is left end, where sophomore Jabaree Tuani (6-1, 265), the ECAC Rookie of the Year, is entrenched. Tuani emerged last year when Walsh was injured.
In Navy’s 3-4 set, much depends on the nose guard. The Midshipmen entered the preseason with lots of defensive line depth. Now it will be tested.
Niumatalolo and defensive coordinator Buddy Green will be watching the nose guard candidates closely when the Midshipmen scrimmage this afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium.
“We’ve got to move forward,” said Niumatalolo. “I’ve been at the Naval Academy for 12 years and I’ve learned these kids are resilient. I’ve seen it in the past where other guys stepped up.”
