University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Andy Mead
GoHeels Exclusive: Why I Play Football
April 24, 2020 | Football, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
Looking back on his North Carolina career, Jason Strowbridge remembers the adversity he went through more than anything.
First came the fractures to both of his feet that he sustained during his first training camp, and that ultimately sidelined him his entire true freshman season. Then came a year spent as a reserve, followed by a rather difficult transition from defensive end to tackle.
None of that even accounts for all the trials Strowbridge and his teammates faced between the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Through all of it, though, he stayed focused.
"(I got through it) just thinking back to why I play football, why I do what I do and why I went to UNC – to get a degree, play good football and go to the NFL," said Strowbridge during a videoconference with media on Monday. "I just thought back to why I did what I did."
And that's why he now finds himself in the position he's in.
Considered the No. 4 defensive end in the 2020 NFL Draft according to NFL.com's prospect rating, Strowbridge figures to be the first Tar Heel taken off the board this weekend. Some outlets project the 6-foot-4, 275-pounder will be selected Friday, when the second and third rounds are held. Others predict he'll go early Saturday.
But no matter when he's picked or which team takes him, Strowbridge said it'll be surreal to see his dream come true.
"It's crazy that it's almost here," he said. "I don't know if it will even sink in when it happens. It will just be crazy. But just have to wait and see."
Like everyone else across the country, that's exactly what Strowbridge has done the past few weeks, as the coronavirus has uprooted almost every aspect of day-to-day life. Currently home in Deerfield Beach, Florida, he said he's been trying to stay in shape by working out at a few local parks that remain open. Without access to proper equipment, that's been easier said than done.
Another challenge he and most other prospects have had to navigate is not having their pro days. But he's continued to make the most of his situation, meeting with teams over Zoom.
"Life throws curveballs," he said. "It is what it is. I'm thankful I got the opportunity to go to the combine and do what I did there. But it's just crazy. I feel so bad for the dudes who weren't able to participate in their pro day and show coaches their athleticism or whatever. But you've just got to take it and run with whatever opportunity you got."
Strowbridge certainly received a few before the evaluation process shifted online.
At the Senior Bowl in January, he significantly boosted his draft stock with a strong week of practice. He built off that with a solid showing at the NFL combine, registering a 40-yard dash time of 4.89 seconds, 26 reps on the bench press, a 31-inch vertical jump and a 113-inch broad jump. In between both events, he participated in the State Farm All-Star Football Challenge, a 24-player skills competition in Arlington, Texas.
"I got the Senior Bowl invite; that was huge," Strowbridge said. "And going into that, I just wanted to show coaches I'm versatile, I can move around, I've got a high motor. Just putting my best foot forward in every opportunity. Same thing at the combine, just doing everything that I can to show them my athleticism."
That, combined with his length and size, is what makes Strowbridge such an intriguing prospect. It also gives him positional flexibility.
At UNC, Strowbridge played the majority of his snaps at defensive tackle. But down the stretch last season, he spent most of his time at defensive end. Strowbridge said most NFL teams see him playing there in a 4-3 scheme and kicking inside on passing downs. There are a few, though, that view him as a 3-4 end and a couple that believe he'll be a defensive tackle.
With various opinions out there about which position he'll play, Strowbridge said he's thankful he got a chance to play some defensive end in Jay Bateman's scheme.
"It just showed my versatility," he said, "and I think that's the strongest part of my game, just being able to move around wherever the team needs me."
A three-star prospect coming out of high school, Strowbridge demonstrated that throughout his Carolina career, which he finished with 127 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and four blocked kicks. The chance to do so is one of many reasons that makes him believe he made the right decision by becoming a Tar Heel.
"When I went on my visit, they accepted me like I was family," he said. "I just felt like this was my second home. Miami coaches and Florida coaches, they were mad, but it is what it is. Being at UNC, I've grown so much (and learned) so many lessons. I wouldn't trade it for anything."
Not even the hardest parts.
Looking back on his North Carolina career, Jason Strowbridge remembers the adversity he went through more than anything.
First came the fractures to both of his feet that he sustained during his first training camp, and that ultimately sidelined him his entire true freshman season. Then came a year spent as a reserve, followed by a rather difficult transition from defensive end to tackle.
None of that even accounts for all the trials Strowbridge and his teammates faced between the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Through all of it, though, he stayed focused.
"(I got through it) just thinking back to why I play football, why I do what I do and why I went to UNC – to get a degree, play good football and go to the NFL," said Strowbridge during a videoconference with media on Monday. "I just thought back to why I did what I did."
And that's why he now finds himself in the position he's in.
Considered the No. 4 defensive end in the 2020 NFL Draft according to NFL.com's prospect rating, Strowbridge figures to be the first Tar Heel taken off the board this weekend. Some outlets project the 6-foot-4, 275-pounder will be selected Friday, when the second and third rounds are held. Others predict he'll go early Saturday.
But no matter when he's picked or which team takes him, Strowbridge said it'll be surreal to see his dream come true.
"It's crazy that it's almost here," he said. "I don't know if it will even sink in when it happens. It will just be crazy. But just have to wait and see."
Like everyone else across the country, that's exactly what Strowbridge has done the past few weeks, as the coronavirus has uprooted almost every aspect of day-to-day life. Currently home in Deerfield Beach, Florida, he said he's been trying to stay in shape by working out at a few local parks that remain open. Without access to proper equipment, that's been easier said than done.
Another challenge he and most other prospects have had to navigate is not having their pro days. But he's continued to make the most of his situation, meeting with teams over Zoom.
"Life throws curveballs," he said. "It is what it is. I'm thankful I got the opportunity to go to the combine and do what I did there. But it's just crazy. I feel so bad for the dudes who weren't able to participate in their pro day and show coaches their athleticism or whatever. But you've just got to take it and run with whatever opportunity you got."
Strowbridge certainly received a few before the evaluation process shifted online.
At the Senior Bowl in January, he significantly boosted his draft stock with a strong week of practice. He built off that with a solid showing at the NFL combine, registering a 40-yard dash time of 4.89 seconds, 26 reps on the bench press, a 31-inch vertical jump and a 113-inch broad jump. In between both events, he participated in the State Farm All-Star Football Challenge, a 24-player skills competition in Arlington, Texas.
"I got the Senior Bowl invite; that was huge," Strowbridge said. "And going into that, I just wanted to show coaches I'm versatile, I can move around, I've got a high motor. Just putting my best foot forward in every opportunity. Same thing at the combine, just doing everything that I can to show them my athleticism."
That, combined with his length and size, is what makes Strowbridge such an intriguing prospect. It also gives him positional flexibility.
At UNC, Strowbridge played the majority of his snaps at defensive tackle. But down the stretch last season, he spent most of his time at defensive end. Strowbridge said most NFL teams see him playing there in a 4-3 scheme and kicking inside on passing downs. There are a few, though, that view him as a 3-4 end and a couple that believe he'll be a defensive tackle.
With various opinions out there about which position he'll play, Strowbridge said he's thankful he got a chance to play some defensive end in Jay Bateman's scheme.
"It just showed my versatility," he said, "and I think that's the strongest part of my game, just being able to move around wherever the team needs me."
A three-star prospect coming out of high school, Strowbridge demonstrated that throughout his Carolina career, which he finished with 127 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and four blocked kicks. The chance to do so is one of many reasons that makes him believe he made the right decision by becoming a Tar Heel.
"When I went on my visit, they accepted me like I was family," he said. "I just felt like this was my second home. Miami coaches and Florida coaches, they were mad, but it is what it is. Being at UNC, I've grown so much (and learned) so many lessons. I wouldn't trade it for anything."
Not even the hardest parts.
Players Mentioned
Defensive Line
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