Preston Fryzel Focused on Adding Size, Becoming Complete Tight End This Spring

Early enrollee tight end Preston Fryzel has a clear priority as he begins his first spring in South Bend.

Transform his body and become a more physical presence.

At 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, Fryzel understands that adding size is essential to success in the box and developing into a complete tight end.

“Developing physically is probably No. 1,” stated Fryzel. “And then kind of being a threat in the run game. In high school, I didn't do much run game stuff. I was a lot of split-out wide kind of receiver stuff.” 

The official roster lists him at 208 pounds following an illness-related weight drop, but he’s already well beyond that and has a target weight in mind.

“The goal is to be 235 come game one,” said Fryzel. “That's the goal. But if I can get to 235 by spring even, that'd be great.”

The Ohio native is also focused on learning Mike Denbrock’s playbook and making sure he spends time with the staff to catch up to the rest of the room. 

“He's an amazing football mind,” Fryzel said of Denbrock. “He has a crazy IQ for the game. Being around him and Coach Biv (Harris Bivin), Coach (Marcus) Freeman, and even Coach (Trent) Miles, who are also all really smart coaches, it's amazing. You get the best work as a tight end around here.”

Fryzel envisions evolving into a matchup problem. A tight end who can flex out wide yet still impose his will in the run game. The model for that role is currently playing in Detroit. 

“A guy like Sam LaPorta I look up to,” Fryzel explained. “He's kind of that split-out-wide guy, but he's also a mismatch in the run game. Being able to do both creates a huge mismatch.”

Though spring practice is set to begin later this month, as the program has started football school.

Opportunities are limited, but Fryzel is maximizing every rep available.

“They get us in here and there,” Fryzel stated. “There's a period just for us, freshmen and kind of younger guys. So that's really good. That's been really good.” 

He’s also reconnecting with quarterback CJ Carr, whom he faced in 7-on-7 tournaments during high school. That familiarity has helped ease the transition to Notre Dame as Carr is now throwing him passes. 

“In high school, I played 7-on-7 against him,” explained Fryzel. “I was just a freshman or sophomore. He's really close to where I'm from, so I'd heard of him. I knew of him. Now, actually being here with him, him throwing me passes, it's amazing.”

Off the field, Fryzel is balancing a demanding academic load that includes microeconomics, theology, foundations of marketing and writing rhetoric.

The adjustment to college coursework has been tough, but manageable, thanks to the support system around the program. 

“Classes are good,” said Fryzel. “We have so much help around here with the transition and stuff. I think that was big. Just transitioning from high school classes to college classes, I think that was the hardest part, but honestly, it's been really nice.” 

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