Like JR said, I think Malzahn's offense is different from (and more complex than) the high school offense that Frazier previously operated in. Yes, Malzahn utilizes the spread, and yes, Frazier performed well in the spread during high school, but Malzahn's version of the spread utilizes aspects of the wishbone formation. It's considered to open up more running lanes than the traditional spread, which is used to open up passing lanes.
That's not to say that Frazier wouldn't succeed in an altered spread offense with various complexities that Malzahn has added for the collegiate level, but why is Frazier just now showing signs of progress worthy of being reported? People bitch about Trotter, and suddenly the coaches think that Frazier's progressing well? No one noticed any signs of potential or progress in this kid until now? It all seems a little contrived to me, as if the coaches (and now the fans) are looking for the next double threat superstar.
A. "The Spread" is not an offensive system. It's a method of spreading the defense out to run an offensive system.
B. Malzahn's offense is pretty much the Wing T run from the Shotgun, not the Wishbone. He started his coaching career with a whistle and a copy of "
The Delaware Wing T, An Order of Football by "Tubby" Raymond in his hand.
All I'm pointing out is that Frazier's HS experience may aid him every so slightly in understanding what Malzahn does, because he played for a HS coach that learned from Malzahn, but there's still probably lots of differences in the play calling system, how they reads, etc. Not to mention the speed of the game.