FARGO — What could have been for the Fraley family if the Detroit Lions completed a successful run through the NFL playoffs. Yet, the 2024 season was probably more successful than any other football family out there.
Trent Fraley was the starting center for North Dakota State, which defeated Montana State 35-32 in the Division I FCS national title game in Frisco, Texas. That came a couple of weeks before the Lions lost to the Washington Commanders in the NFL playoffs, a game that also ended the season of offensive line coach Hank Fraley, Trent’s father.
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It was Trent’s first title of any significance since, he joked, “maybe third grade soccer.” The Lions were the feel-good story of the NFL until the Commanders ruined that storyline. A perennial NFL doormat won 15 games.
The potential of an FCS title was part of the discussion when Fraley went into the transfer portal after two years at Marshall University, one as a redshirt and the other as a backup.
“My parents were like, what if they win a championship and you go to another school,” Trent said. “It was like, yeah, I probably would be a little upset but in my opinion, and people can view it differently, there is a bowl game and there is a national championship and in my opinion being the top team in the nation holds more value.”
A year ago at this time, Fraley was a fresh transfer from Marshall trying to fit into the scheme of the Bison offensive line.
“It’s a better feeling knowing what to expect,” he said.
Also a good feeling at NDSU’s Pro Day last week: being around five NFL offensive linemen from NDSU in Cody Mauch with Tampa Bay, Jake Kubas with New York Giants, Cordell Volson with Cincinnati, Zack Johnson with San Francisco and soon-to-be NFL guy Grey Zabel. Now Fraley is one of the older guys with the current Bison team going through spring practice.
Zabel and departed right tackle Mason Miller both have NFL aspirations. Fraley is one of two starters returning along with guard Griffin Empey.
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“At some point, you have to step up and take a role,” Fraley said. “Griffin and I, both of us have been trying to improve ourselves and making sure we improve the room along with us. You never think the day will come, you sit there as a freshman and all these dudes are so old, stuff like that. But then you turn out to be the old guy.”
There’s a lot of newness to NDSU’s offensive line, starting with new offensive line coach Dylan Chmura, who was hired after Dan Larson moved to offensive coordinator. There’s no lack of offensive line minds on the staff, with head coach Tim Polasek spending three years as the offensive line coach at Iowa.
“I trust the coaches, they’ll get everyone prepared,” Fraley said.
Fraley will have a new starting quarterback behind him, most likely veteran Cole Payton. Junior Nathan Hayes is also expected to provide a challenge to replace Cam Miller. Then again, it’s not that new.
Payton had a role in the Bison offense last year before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the season. He’s 100% healthy.
“We’re already getting snaps under our belt and having clean transitions,” Fraley said. “Just making sure everything is all good.”
NDSU is expected to be a favorite to repeat its title. The Lions are expected to regain their health and be a playoff factor. What if both break through for title rings?
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“That would be something,” Trent said.
Bison FB Trent Fraley.jpg
Trent Fraley
NDSU Athletics
[ Jeff Kolpack](https://www.thedickinsonpress.com/Jeff Kolpack)
By [Jeff Kolpack](https://www.thedickinsonpress.com/Jeff Kolpack)
Jeff would like to dispel the notion he was around when Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, but he is on his third decade of reporting with Forum Communications. The son of a reporter and an English teacher, and the brother of a reporter, Jeff has worked at the Jamestown Sun, Bismarck Tribune and since 1990 The Forum, where he's covered North Dakota State athletics since 1995.
Jeff has covered all nine of NDSU's Division I FCS national football titles and has written three books: "Horns Up," "North Dakota Tough" and "Covid Kids." He is the radio host of "The Golf Show with Jeff Kolpack" April through August.