Former Turlock High football star earns full ride to Kansas State

Former Turlock Excessive soccer standout Anthony Frias II will probably be taking his abilities to the Division I stage of faculty soccer after accepting a full-ride scholarship to Kansas State College final week. Frias, who spent final yr as Modesto Junior Faculty’s lead operating again, feels as if he’s prepared for a number of the largest levels that faculty soccer has to supply.

“I’m able to compete,” stated the 2020 THS graduate. “I all the time felt I might play someplace like this. Everyone simply takes totally different roads to get there. I simply trusted myself and now I really feel like I’m lastly prepared for the large stadiums and the large lights.”

Previous to accepting the provide from Kansas State, Frias obtained heavy curiosity from different Division I applications. He defined that after touring the Kansas State campus and assembly with the teaching workers, the choice was a straightforward one to make.

“The city, the setting and the workers are superb,” Frias stated. “Having these one-on-one conferences with all of the coaches made me understand that there’s something particular occurring at Okay-State.”

The Kansas State teaching workers is made up of plenty of people who’ve made their marks on faculty soccer historical past. Head coach Chris Klieman received 4 straight FCS Nationwide Championships alongside NFL veteran Carson Wentz at North Dakota State, offensive coordinator Collin Klein was a Heisman Trophy finalist at Okay-State in 2012 and operating backs coach Brian Anderson has served in a number of teaching positions round faculty soccer for the previous 28 years.

“The one-on-one conversations with the coaches had been nice,” Frias stated. “They’re dedicated to their gamers and so they’re going to make me the very best athlete I will be within the subsequent three or 4 years.”

Whereas Frias admits that residing and taking part in in Manhattan, Kansas will probably be a brand new expertise for him, he believes that his journey by way of Turlock and MJC have ready him for this second.

“I had a tremendous time at Turlock Excessive Faculty and I’ll always remember these moments. And at MJC, it nonetheless felt like dwelling taking part in alongside a few of my Turlock teammates. Now at Okay-State, I really feel like I’m ready. With Turlock being a D1 highschool and MJC being one of many high JUCO applications within the state, it provides me confidence to carry out at such a very good program and on the highest stage,” he defined.

Throughout his one yr at MJC, Frias led the Valley League with 851 speeding yards and a state-high 17 touchdowns. He was named to the 2021 All-State and All-League groups. Now, he’s excited to see how his recreation interprets to the very best stage of collegiate soccer.

“These are high guys within the nation and the very best applications within the nation. To have the ability to play at this stage and see the place I’m at amongst the very best of the very best is so surreal for me. I’m very grateful and blessed,” Frias stated.