As the team’s leading rusher in the 2025 season, Georgia Bulldogs running back Nate Frazier had the spotlight on him during the January transfer portal. There were doubts about whether he would return for the 2026 season, as several indications suggested a transfer exit. However, words from the horse’s mouth accentuated Frazier’s loyalty even in the face of temptation.

“It was crazy; I just woke up one day, and I just saw all those things,” Frazier said to the media during the Bulldogs’ spring practice. “And I really just turned off my phone and said that’s what social media is. It’s just rumors. “So, I just turned off the phone and just got back to work. You know, other opportunities, I know this is where I’m supposed to be. I love this place. I already know I don’t belong anywhere else. I feel like at this point, I’ve shown everybody I bleed red and black.”

Just when many might have mistaken his silence and social media inactivity for him shying away from transfer discussions, Frazier was getting locked in instead. The 20-year-old is not ready to put the brakes on after a brilliant 2025 that saw him lead the Bulldogs with 947 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 173 carries. His sublime performance is one of the main reasons he wants to stay in Georgia for another year and prove himself.

“I want to really prove that to my teammates and to the people around that I’m a great leader,” he said. “I’m somebody that can be counted on. I want to lead by example.

Frazier’s choice to stay was not a very easy one. He had huge financial temptations from certain programs he chose not to disclose. In choosing the Bulldogs, Frazier considered the Bulldogs’ reputation for seamlessly transitioning players to the NFL.

“Crazy numbers. Trust me, I’ve heard crazy numbers,” said Frazier. “But the thing that I most definitely think about is that at Georgia, people get drafted high and then double the amount they made in college. At other schools, you can make that now. But when you get to the next level, and it’s time to get drafted, it’s not going to be that. The NFL, that’s grown man money.”

Georgia Bulldogs’ head coach Kirby Smart was happy with Frazier’s decision to return, as his exit would have spelled a huge disaster for the program. However, when asked about how close Frazier was to leaving, Smart refused to give any details away.

“Yeah, almost every player re-signed, so that’s not a big deal,” Smart said via 247sports.com. “That’s a big deal to you guys and all that. It’s like, to get a player to stay, they typically do re-sign. So I’m very pleased with where Nate is.”

Frazier was named the top returning Georgia player for the 2026 campaign by ESPN, per Mark Olsen. He was also ranked sixth among SEC running backs in scrimmage yards during the 2025 season. Regardless, Frazier had a few issues to settle in his game. The first half of his 2025 season was marred by fumble issues before he eventually picked up in the second half. And as he enters his third year, he hopes to get better.

“I know as a Year 3, for a dude that is more so knowing they have a chance and opportunity to go to the National Football League, it gets to a point where they’re more so selfish and focus on themselves and their goals. But in my Year 3, I want to show my teammates and the people around me that I want to be better together as a team.”

Nate Frazier gets his own bulldog

Who says no to one of the Georgia Bulldogs owning a bulldog?

Ahead of the 2026 season, Frazier has drawn inspiration from his program’s name to take on another major responsibility. The running back has adopted a French bulldog named Dane.

“It’s not as easy as it looks being a dog dad,” Frazier said. “Especially, you know, being here doing football things and trying to maintain all the other things I got going on. It’s not easy. But, man, he keeps me up and going for sure.”

Frazier knows what he has gotten himself into by dealing with a bulldog alongside his duties as a running back for the Bulldogs, and he is ready to give whatever he takes.

“I want to just get better as a leader, showing people by example what needs to be done here and how you carry yourself as a Georgia Bulldog,” he said. “Showing that you can push through adversity. Anything that you’re going through, as long as you have a great mindset and God by your side.”