Michigan State Center Trent Fraley Earns Award Honor

The Spartans center secures a spot on the Rimington Award watch list after a strong start to his debut season.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Football

Michigan State Center Trent Fraley Earns Award Honor

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Michigan State center Trent Fraley has been named to the Rimington Award watch list for his performance during the 2026 season. The recognition follows his successful transfer from North Dakota State.

Why it matters

The honor highlights the rapid impact Fraley has had on the Michigan State offensive line since his arrival in East Lansing. His inclusion suggests he is emerging as a premier interior lineman at the collegiate level.

Fraley has played 453 of 465 offensive snaps across seven starts this season. He currently ranks as the fifth-highest graded center in the nation by Pro Football Focus.

The players

Trent Fraley

He is a standout center for Michigan State who previously excelled at North Dakota State.

Hank Fraley

He is a professional coach for the Detroit Lions who spent 11 seasons playing in the NFL.

Ben Roberts

He serves as a defensive tackle for Michigan State and practices directly against Fraley.

The details

Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 306 pounds, Fraley maintains his high level of play by training against teammate Ben Roberts and seeking professional insights from his father, Lions coach Hank Fraley. This recognition follows a 2025 season where he won the Rimington Award at the FCS level while at North Dakota State.

January 2026: Fraley arrived on the Michigan State campus.
October 2026: Fraley was added to the Rimington Award watch list.

Season Trajectory

Fraley is positioning himself to potentially follow his father into a professional career if his current performance continues. His transition from an FCS standout to a national award contender represents a significant boost for the Spartans offensive front.

Fraley's high snap count and elite PFF grading make him a reliable anchor for the Spartans offense moving forward. His development serves as a key indicator of offensive line stability for the remainder of the season.

The takeaway

Fraley provides a blueprint for successful transfers in college sports by maintaining high performance across different competitive tiers. Fans can monitor his progress as he competes for one of the most prestigious positions in college football.