Frizen to University of the Cumberlands
Knoxville Bearden quarterback Nick Frizen was not looking over his shoulder for SEC offers. Not that he did not have dreams, but he is happy with the road in front of him.
The 5-10, 188-pounder has agreed to take his athletic talents to The University of the Cumberland's in Williamsburg, Ky.
Advertisement
The Patriots are an NAIA school that finished 10-2 in 2012 with a No. 7 National Ranking.
"I'm really excited about it and I feel blessed to have this opportunity," Frizen said. "I'm truly impressed with the level of football played there, and they have some top talent returning from a successful team."
Frizen completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,596 yards and 21 touchdowns in his career at Bearden. He rushed for five TDs, including a game-winner in a triple-overtime thriller against Farragut his senior year.
It was in the Farragut game that Frizen took control and lifted the team on his shoulders to come back from a 14-point deficit with less than five minutes remaining in the game.
Bearden Coach Brad Taylor will miss Frizen's leadership qualities on and off the field.
"Frizen is a smart, athletic, and very coachable player," Taylor said. "Nick is a young man of high character. He is one of the hardest working players I have ever had the honor of coaching."
Frizen said that he felt very comfortable with University of the Cumberland's head coach John Bland, who is a former Farragut and Arkansas QB.
The offense Frizen played in at Bearden should allow him to adapt to the spread option offense the Patriots run.
Frizen carries a 3.7 GPA in honors and AP courses at Bearden and is a student body leader.
He showed his character, heart and desire by leading Bearden to the playoffs while playing with a separated shoulder.
Frizen was voted as a permanent team captain and multiple-award winner by his peers as well as the team MVP.