Personal Life
Who’d you grow up rooting for?
“So I was originally born in Illinois and moved to Florida when I was really, really young so I grew up a Bears fan and in my younger age I became a Bucs fans because I moved over here to the St. Pete/Tampa area and grew up going to Bucs training camp with my brother every year.”
So starting as a Bears fan? What did you think of the Double Doink last year?
“My grandpa is the biggest Bears fan active in the family now and he talks to me everyday about Trubisky and how they could’ve had Mahomes or Watson”
**Grandpa Strnad, not a big Trubisky guy**
“John Lynch finessed them”
What’s it like getting ready for the draft?
“Right now I’m home, came back from the combine, I’m training here. Just kind of staying in shape and getting ready for Pro Day. I’ll be heading back up to Wake soon with some of my teammates to continue to train and get ready for some of the position drills I’ll be doing”
When you’re practicing, working out, doing all these drills, what’s your playlist like?
“I’m a big Rod Wave guy. Then just mix up, I throw Meek Mill in there I know that’s a Philly thing. But mainly Rod Wave, Drake every now and then. I mix it up.”
Game day food?
“I’m not a big eater on game day. But if it’s a noon game I keep it pretty simple. Just eggs, bacon, potatoes, and always got to have the cup of oatmeal. That’s key.”
Ok, ok, now how about if you’re allowed to really eat. Coach isn’t on you for your macros and all that. What’s your go-to?
“Buffalo Wings, number one for sure” Spicy? “Yeah, for sure.”
On game day you’re ready to take someone’s head off, but off the field you’re this different dude who likes what?
“I live watching combat sports. UFC and boxing is something I’ve been watching since second grade. I’m a big Madden guy.”
Did you create yourself in Madden?
“No but me and my boys do a multi-year league and we imported a draft class that had me in it and one of my boys took me.” What was the starting rating? “I think it was 70-something, but my boy took me in the third round. I think it was Seattle.”
On Miles Sanders
“People are sleeping on Miles Sanders. I think after this year he’ll be a top ten back. I watched him at Penn St. and he was the real deal then. He’s legit.”
What he thinks he brings to teams
What do you feel like teams will really gain with drafting you? What do you feel like you bring to the dynamic of a defense?
“I think I’m going to bring, first off, a competitive aspect to it, I’m going to bring leadership. Also, my ability to play on all three downs. I think when you talk about the Eagles, you’re talking Evan Engram, who they have to play twice a year, so being able to help with those guys on third down. Being able to stop the run, you’ve got Zeke, Guice, it’s a division that’s loaded with talent so when you have a backer who can play on all three downs and help the defense whether it be communication, coverage, anything, that’s something I bring to the table.”
Is there one last thing you want to tell Eagles fans on why they should be excited should your name be called on draft night for Philly?
“I just know that if you guys end up drafting me I’m someone that will come in on day one and help this team win. I’m all about winning. I’m ready to help whatever team drafts me win and I’m so excited for this journey to the NFL. I’m really looking forward to it.”
If you’d like to watch some film on Strnad, you can find some here. He’d be a great selection for the Eagles. If Howie and Doug are committed to high character guys, you don’t get much better than Strnad.
Listen to the entire podcast and interview here.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Matt Patterson
