Knoch graduate Fraser following Gustafson’s model in becoming Grove City College’s go-to receiver
GROVE CITY — Wide receiver Scott Fraser’s recipe for success on the football field at Knoch High School was a simple one.
“Just go to a spot and out-jump guys for the ball,” the 6-foot-4 Fraser said.
College football? Different story. But Fraser had a good teacher.
The Grove City College junior played alongside Cody Gustafson — GCC’s all-time leading receiver — as a sophomore last year and learned by mostly watching him as a freshman. Gustafson compiled seasons of 1,420, 1,246 and 1,224 receiving yards for the Wolverines before graduating last spring.
“If not for Cody, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing right now,” Fraser said. “He showed me how to succeed at this level, taught me the importance of accurate and effective route-running.
“There’s always a way to get open. He proved that every game.”
And Fraser is proving that this year.
With Gustafson lining up with him last season, Fraser caught 62 passes for 813 yards, often times in single coverage. Without Gustafson this season, Fraser is attracting plenty of attention from defensive backs and safeties. Yet he has 52 catches for 906 yards and nine touchdowns through eight games.
“Scott made that freshman to sophomore jump,” Grove City coach Andrew DiDonato said. “That’s not easy to do at this level. Cody helped him break in as a standout receiver.
“He works every day to get better. Scott knew he’d draw more attention this year and he was ready for it.”
Fraser’s 62 catches lead the Presidents’ Athletic Conference by eight over Molayo Irefin of Saint Vincent. His 902 receiving yards are 306 more than runner-up Hilton McClain Jr., of Geneva, among PAC receivers.
Fraser ranks fifth in all of NCAA Division III in receiving yards, eighth in receiving touchdowns. He’s averaging just under 15 yards per catch.
Being a former quarterback, DiDonato knows the importance of having a go-to receiver.
“A quarterback has to have that guy, someone he can depend on to make plays for him in critical situations,” DiDonato said. “Scott is that guy. He’s made himself the most productive receiver in the conference and one of the best in the country.
“By the time he’s done here, Cody and he could be 1-2 in a lot of our receiving categories. We’ve been very fortunate to have them both.”
Consistency has been Fraser’s forte as well. He’s had five 100-yard receiving games this season, including four in a row to begin the campaign.
His favorite statistic, though, is Grove’s City record of six wins and two losses.
“I’m not a big statistics guy,” Fraser said. “All I want to do is help the team win. You have to work hard to be great and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
DiDonato isn’t afraid to put that greatness tag on him now.
“I’m not surprised at all by what he’s done,” the coach said. “The physical tools are there and the work ethic matches them. Scott has been honing his craft.There’s no telling what he may wind up doing here.”
Fraser’s younger brother, Keagan, is a freshman safety on the Wolverines’ roster. DiDonato anticipates the younger Fraser making that “freshman to sophomore jump” as well.
“Keagan has a lot of the same attributes,” DiDonato said. “He goes up against Scott in practice and it’s fun to watch. He’s going to be a good one for us.”
