Freshman Fraser making impact now

Matt Heistand Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman defensive tackle Keoni Fraser (56, left) and junior inside linebacker Marcus Bell (40) sandwich Oregon's junior tailback Derien Latimer (6) during Saturday's game at Arizona Stadium. Fraser has 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks on the season.

The Wildcats have six Hawaiians now on the roster.

When the coaches visited Kailua High School in Kailua, Hawaii, last year, they found a defensive lineman they felt could make an impact in the program.

However, the coaches did not know when freshman Keoni Fraser would be able to make that impact; all they knew is that he had it in him.

"We recruited him and we knew he was a good football player," defensive line coach Marty Long said. "You never expect a freshman to come in and do what he has. He is good and getting better every day."

With Fraser's play on the defensive front, Arizona coaches knew his time was now. But Fraser didn't even think there was a question about when he would develop.

"I felt I would play this year. I did not want to redshirt," Fraser said. "In camp all I did was try my hardest, kept improving and I got my shot."

Fraser has made the most of his opportunity early in his career for the 8-1 Wildcats, as he has contributed 17 tackles, three of which went for a loss, including 1.5 sacks.

Fraser's advancement to a Division I college game from a high school game was easier than most as in his first game he got to play in front of a home crowd in his home state.

"My first game was exciting because it was in Hawaii and my home crowd was there," Fraser said. "Now that I have nine games under my belt, it is just routine. All I am doing is trying to bring the pain."

His first home game against Iowa was a different story.

"We walked up the alley and people were yelling. I have never been in an atmosphere like that. It was just wild," he said. "It made me more hyped to play the game."

As a freshman, Fraser has learned from day one about the tradition of Arizona's defense.

"I take pride in that, I live for it," Fraser said. "It is all about hitting and making plays."

Coming into a program which held a five game winning streak dating back to a win against Oregon State last year, Fraser is not surprised with the success his team has had this season.

"As a team, we expected it. Ever since Camp Cochise we knew we would be a thunder coming through and stomping on people," he said.

The Wildcats hope to stomp on four more teams this season, three of which have already been scheduled, followed by an appearance in a bowl game.

Dan Rosen can be reached via e-mail at Dan.Rosen@wildcat.arizona.edu.