Cole’s football path may be Strange to everyone except him
Editor’s note: The New England Patriots selected OL Cole Strange with the No. 29 pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft on April 28.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (BVM) – Every year, there are a handful of FCS athletes selected in the NFL draft. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s (UTC) offensive guard Cole Strange, is hoping to be one of those names for 2022.
Strange is in his sixth season for the Mocs due to the Covid exception, which grants all athletes an extra year of eligibility. This was an easy decision to opt back in.
“Maybe this sounds ridiculous, but I’m trying everything I can to get to the NFL,” Strange said. “I know statistically speaking it’s not likely, but that’s something that’s always been a dream of mine.”
Strange has made a name for himself this season as the leader of the Mocs offensive line that has only allowed six sacks in seven games. Strange is continuing his success from last season where he was a co-winner of the Jacobs award, given to the best offensive lineman in the Southern Conference.
“It was really cool that I got the award, but at the same time, I’m not the only one that won it,” Strange said. “It’s like having two starting quarterbacks. If that’s the case, you don’t have a starting quarterback.”
The Mocs 2020 season was quite the interesting one due to COVID-19. They would play one game against Western Kentucky in the fall before transitioning to a spring football season. UTC would wind up opting out after five games on the account of not being able to field a complete roster.
Despite an odd way to finish last season, Strange didn’t find it to be difficult entering this fall.
“Whenever camp came around this year in August, it felt like it had been several years since we’d done it,” Strange said. “I think that everyone was looking forward to it. I was.”
The Mocs would start off 2021 with a 1-1 record before traveling to Lexington, Kentucky, to play the University of Kentucky. For most, it was quite the shock when the Wildcats only won 28-23. But at the end of the day, the Mocs fell short and Strange did not take any moral victories away from the game.
“All things considered, if a handful of plays go the other way, I feel like we would’ve won that game,” Strange said. “From a team standpoint, I think we should’ve won.”
From a personal standpoint for Strange, it was a big opportunity to have a big game on a big stage. And he did just that.
🚨SLEEPER ALERT🚨@GoMocsFB LG #69 Cole Strange got our attention with his flexibility, mobility, & strength vs. Kentucky. @ColeStrange2 is type of after-whistle finisher who gets under people’s skin. Love the old-school bare arms/no gloves look. 💤📈 #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/B0gQJlEoCZ
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 30, 2021
Since that game, Strange has been mentioned as a sleeper in this year’s draft on sites such as On3 and The Athletic.
Regardless of the buzz, Strange is just focusing on what he can control.
“The draft is still months away,” Strange said. “Everything that is being said right now, it’s cool, I love hearing about it, it seems like it’s becoming a reality, but right now, it’s still just all words. It doesn’t mean anything if I don’t continue to go out there and play and improve and practice and get better.”
If all goes to plan, he is not just hoping to get drafted, but to have a lengthy career as a crucial piece to an offensive line.
“I don’t want to just be a guy that’s on the team,” Strange said. “I want to actually compete and play good.”
