TRENT FRALEY HOPES TO FOLLOW HIS FATHER HANK ALL THE WAY TO THE LEAGUE
- Al Thompson
- 58 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Former North Dakota State teammate and current Seattle Seahawk O-lineman Grey Zabel talked about his and Trent's journey to greatness. Trent is following a similar path to the one his father, former Eagles star Hank Fraley travelled as a young player.
One of the most reliable sayings we have is, “It's a small world.”
While covering the Super Bowl in the San Francisco Bay Area a few weeks ago, I got the chance to talk to the Seattle Seahawks rookie offensive lineman Grey Zabel.
After the usual Super Bowl chatter, I asked him about his North Dakota State teammate Trent Fraley, whom Zabel and the rest of the Bison, helped win the 2024 FCS national title.
Zabel has led a charmed athletic life. So, let’s look at that first before his friendship with Fraley.
Zabel was born on March 30, 2002, in Pierre, South Dakota. Zabel attended T. F. Riggs High School, where he played both offensive and defensive line and helped his team win three State Championships.
He was also a standout baseball and basketball player for the Governors.
The 6-foot-6, 316-pound guard went on to help North Dakota State win two FCS National Championships.
Zabel was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft (No. 18 overall).
In his first season as a pro he helps the Seahawks win a Super Bowl, just the second in Franchise history.
The guy can’t seem to get out of the way of championships.
Zabel was asked of winning in big moments is a separate skill in any sport.
Yes, absolutely,” Zabel said from his riser seat at one of many media days in San Jose, CA. “In sports there is a mental aspect, it’s understanding what it takes to win.”
He thinks some of that aspect is in Fraley's DNA.
Trent Fraley is the son of former Eagles center Hank Fraley. Hank has an amazing story in that he played college football as a non-scholarship player at Division I-AA Robert Morris University near Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Fraley as a rookie free agent in 2000, almost as a PR move.
He wasn’t there for long.
The Philadelphia Eagles grabbed him off waivers. Why?
According to reports from back then, head coach Andy Reid was drawn to the fact that Hank could not be knocked off his feet.
He showed enough NFL caliber play in 2000 that on September 9, 2001 Hank finally got to play against the St. Louis Rams.
Fraley ended up Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb's center for the next several years including the Birds trip to the Super Bowl at the end of the 2004 season.
His time with the Eagles ended after the 2005 campaign.
Hank went on to play for the Cleveland Browns (2006-2009) and the Rams in 2010.
Hank has gone on to successful coaching career in the NFL.
He has been with the Detroit Lions franchise since 2018 and is currently the team's offensive line coach and run game coordinator.
Zabel said all that football experience has rubbed off on his son Trent.
Hank flourished as a player with little in the way of genetics. In other words, Hank was a 6-2, 313-pound football player who didn’t look like a football player.
Hank became great from his grit, hard work and resilience. Nothing was handed to him.
Zabel was asked about Trent as a player, including if Hank’s son at least had better genetics than his dad.
“I can’t comment on his genetics,” Zabel said with a laugh. “Trent’s awesome. I was fortunate enough to play with him last year on the offensive line. He was our center at North Dakota State.
“He's unbelievably smart,” Zabel continued. “He knows the game of football. He's probably going to have an opportunity to play in the NFL as well. I'm excited for him, he's a great dude, and a really good locker room guy as well.”
Zabel said he remembers seeing Hank at several Bison games.
“I got to meet him at our games,” Zabel recalled. “And I got to meet him during the draft process as well. Hank’s an unbelievable offensive line coach. You see the success he’s had in Detroit. When Tate Ratlidge was drafted there this year, I was really happy for him. But I’ve got to know Hank pretty well.”
Hank won't have to worry about those trips to Fargo, North Dakota to see his son play in 2026. After the season, Trent transferred through the portal to play for the Michigan State Spartans.
Michigan State’s campus is just 90 minutes from Detroit, where Hank is coaching the Lions O-line.
TALKING TO TRENT FRALEY
Through the media relations department at Michigan State, a phone interview with Trent Fraley was set up.
Does Trent still stay in touch with Zabel?
“Year, yeah for sure,” Fraley said. “I texted him for winning the Super Bowl and the year that he had.
“It was unbelievable to see how he’s transformed from North Dakota State to the NFL and dominated at that level.”
Fraley said Zabel was a major force in Fargo helping the Bison to two national championships, one in 2024 with Fraley.
“I know he brought up with a bunch of younger guys and led the room there really well and then was able to move to the next level as well. That is definitely something that he did.”
Trent Fraley attended Moon High School in Western Pennsylvania where he played football helping the Tigers records of 9-3, 4-3 (pandemic schedule) and 12-1 his sophomore, junior and senior years respectively.
Despite his NFL bloodlines, Fraley was not recruited much. He went to Marshall University where he barely played over a two-year period, then landed at North Dakota State
“Coming out of high school, I wasn’t a very high recruit, you could say,” Fraley said with a chuckle looking back. “I ended up at Marshall, I really liked it, what they had to offer, but just unfortunately, my time there never came to where I got to play and see the field.
“So I just figured it was time for something new, a change of scenery, and to get myself on the field, really. I ended up at North Dakota State.”
Fraley said he had a great time at North Dakota State, winning everything he could win as a team and individually.
The 21-year-old said he wanted more.
ON TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S BIGGEST STAGE
“It was a lot of fun, a great time to be completely honest,” Fraley said of his time in Fargo. “It was a great experience overall there. But, I was talking with my dad…” Trent paused for a moment, then laughed when he added, "Kind of being built similar to him…I just wanted to go just a step higher and really try and prove myself.”
It’s 2026 and athletes today have options for their years of eligibility.
“I entered the portal…I had some schools reach out…then Michigan State reached out,” Fraley said. “The Big Ten honestly is the best conference right now in college football, if you look at the past winners. So it was just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
The Spartans overall record over the past four seasons is 18-30. Bowl games are something Michigan State players watch on TV.
Penn State and Florida State were among the programs reaching out to Trent. Then you realize East Lansing, Michigan is about a 90-minute drive to Detroit. Trent’s pick seems more like a no-brainer.
Another advantage for Fraley is he will be entering the program with a first-year head coach in Pat Fitzgerald.
He was named the 27th head football coach at Michigan State University in December 2025.
Fitzgerald takes over the program aiming to bring his experience from Northwestern where he served as the head coach and won two Big Ten West titles.
“Looking at those stats last year, I don’t even think it’s reasonable for the team we have right now,” Fraley said. “Looking at the transfers we brought in, it’s a completely whole new team. Obviously there are some big pieces staying…like Alessio (Milivojevic, red shirt freshman quarterback), he got some snaps and started some games at the end of last year…so that’s big time.”
Fraley warmed up talking about the Spartans 2026 roster.
“Really I think just overall there’s been a ton of improvement, especially talking with the guys,” Fraley said. “Seeing how the team this year is just different from last year. This is a whole now team, They’re excited for this year.”
With Matt Gulbin – the Spartans standout center in 2025 – leaving for the NFL, there is a void Fitzgerald may want to fill with a veteran at the position.
“It’s really just an opportunity,” Fraley said. “It just makes sense, the starting center’s leaving, I know he’s a very highly regarded guy, who is going in this draft class. They needed someone to step in…I’m taking that role hopefully.”
Fraley was asked about what players he thing will stand out in 2026.
“Benjamin Roberts is returning, he’s a D-tackle, older guy,” said Fraley, who shockingly listed Eagles All-Pro center Jason Kelce as an NFL player he admires after his father. “He’s been good, helping the transfers. He’s definitely been there. .
"He’s a vet. You can go to him with questions about anything you want by Michigan State.”
Fraley also said he expects a battle between quarterbacks Cam Fancher and Alessio Milivojevic this offseason.
TRENT FRALEY AWARDS EARNED WHILE AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE
* 2025 Rimington Award Winner
* 2025 Phil Steele FCS Offensive Lineman of the Year
* 2025 All-MVFC First Team
* 2025 AFCA FCS All-America First Team
* 2025 Stats Perform FCS All-America First Team
* 2025 Associated Press FCS All-America First Team
* 2025 FCS Football Central All-America First Team
* 2025 FCS ADA All-America Team
* 2025 Phil Steele FCS All-America First Team
* 2025 MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week (10/26)
* 2024 MVFC All-Newcomer Team
* 2024 MVFC Scholar-Athlete Honorable Mention
* 2024 CSC Academic All-District Team
* 2024 MVFC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award
* 2024 MVFC Honor Roll
List from the North Dakota State University website.
IS THE NFL ON FRALEY’S MIND?
Is Fraley thinking about the NFL and that playing well against Big Ten competition could help improve his stock? And does Fraley know he’s going to be asked where he’d prefer to play? Philly or Detroit?
“The same answer is anywhere…any team that would take me,” Fraley said with a laugh. “But the Eagles would be great and home (Detroit) is still not too far away.”
Was the fact that his father is just down the road a factor in picking Michigan State?
“That is a nice part of it for sure...yeah, definitely.” He admitted.
What advice did his father give me with regards to playing center?
“A lot of it is just the (football) IQ and technique,” Fraley said. “I think that’s what I try to do, try to excel at is really that. Control what I can control.
“I can’t control my height, but I can control how I play. I am honest about my mentality, the way I attack, attack the game in every aspect.
“Off the field, my offseason workouts, looking at the game, learning more about it…on the field, it’s the instincts that you need out there.”
If the instincts Trent Fraley has developed over the last few years are anything close to his father’s, Michigan State has themselves a legitimate steal. *
Email Al Thompson at al.thompson@footballstories.com
Some information came from MaxPreps.com, msuspartans.com, Wikipedia.com, gobison.com, sports-reference.com
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