WESTWOOD — After four years at the Division I level of college football, Anthony Frias II is looking to take his talents to the National Football League.
Last Wednesday, the former Turlock High School and Modesto Junior College star participated in UCLA Pro Day at the university’s Wasserman Football and Center Spaulding Field, working out for professional scouts and front office personnel from all 32 NFL franchises.
By the end of the showcase, Frias was the talk of Westwood.
The running back put on an impressive Pro Day display, highlighted by his 30 reps on the bench press. The mark would have ranked first among all running backs and second among all participants, regardless of position, at this year’s NFL Combine.
Frias put up strong numbers in other workouts, such as the broad jump (10 feet), the vertical jump (34.5 feet) and the L drill (7.10 seconds).
As for the 40-yard dash, Frias has not been able to pinpoint a specific time, as each scout in attendance logs each run using their own stop watches. Frias has heard times anywhere between 4.48 and 4.54 seconds. In the days leading up to Pro Day, he was able to log a laser-timed 40-yard sprint mark of 4.50 seconds in which he captured on video and shared on social media channels.
“Going into it, I knew what some of the good times and measurements were for those at the Combine,” Frias told the Journal Tuesday. “It feels really good to see some of my numbers similar to the guys who were invited and worked out at the Combine. I really feel like I made the most of the opportunity, and I’m just' very grateful and happy for it.”
Frias prepared for Pro Day at the Top Notch Training (TNT) facility in San Dimas.
“I've always had the dream of playing in the NFL,” Frias said. “As far as it being a realistic goal, it started once I got to UCLA. At UCLA, there's just a lot of connections with people from across the league. We'd always have conversations and exit meetings where guys would encourage me and say that I could make it in the league with my build, and style of play if I just kept working hard. And once I started getting more carries this last year of eligibility and making some noise with those opportunities, the interest really took off.”
As a redshift senior with the Bruins this past season, Frias played in all 12 games and finished with 183 rushing yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, 78 yards and a score on 13 receptions and 179 return yards on 10 chances. He was also a lead blocker for others in the running back room. His breakout game in a UCLA uniform came on Oct. 18 in a 20-17 win over Maryland at Rose Bowl Stadium. The 5-foot-10, 220-pound running back rushed for 97 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown, on four carries.
The Turlock native had 230 rushing yards and 96 receiving yards in 23 games over his two seasons as a Bruin.
“After the Maryland game, teams started reaching out and saying they were keeping an eye on me and started sending me questionnaires,” Frias said. “It just proved how just one opportunity, one game, one season could change your life. You just have to stay the course and never give up.”
At Turlock High, Frias was named to the 2018 and 2019 All-Journal football teams. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Frias went up the freeway to MJC, dominating throughout the 2021 season. With the Pirates, he led the Valley League with 851 rushing yards and a state-high 17 touchdowns and was named All-State and All-League. He then spent two seasons at Kansas State, where he saw limited action on the gridiron.
“For me, I’ve had a long journey. It really has been a long process,” he said. “But this year is when I finally had my chances to prove myself, and I made the most of it. I'm just grateful for the season and the Pro Day that I had, which I know has turned a lot of heads. It just seems like everything is trending in the right direction, but I know I gotta keep working. I'm not trying to let my foot off the gas pedal or anything.”
One person not surprised by Frias’ ascension is his former coach, James Peterson of Turlock High School.
“It’s not surprising,” Peterson said last month of Frias’ ambition to break through to the professional ranks. “He is the hardest worker in any room. He has earned everything he has up to this point. When he puts his mind to something, he usually gets it. He’s a phenomenal young man and I’m excited to see where this journey takes him.”
As Frias will continue to prepare for a potential professional opportunity, he reflected on his collegiate journey. Off the gridiron, he studied hard to complete his master’s degree in education last fall. He also said the relationships he built in Westwood, as well as during his time at Kansas State, will last a lifetime.
“I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason,” Frias said. “I’m proud to be a true alumni of UCLA, and for all I experienced here and in Kansas. Each experience was important for me. This is all God’s plan for me. The tough times and the big moments, it’s made me the man I am today.”
Frias and other prospects from across the nation will continue to prepare over the next month for the 2026 NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Full coverage will air on NFL Network, ABC and ESPN.
