Cole鈥檚 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鈥檚 (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.
鈥淢aybe this sounds ridiculous, but I鈥檓 trying everything I can to get to the NFL,鈥� Strange said. 鈥淚 know statistically speaking it鈥檚 not likely, but that鈥檚 something that鈥檚 always been a dream of mine.鈥�
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.
鈥淚t was really cool that I got the award, but at the same time, I鈥檓 not the only one that won it,鈥� Strange said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like having two starting quarterbacks. If that鈥檚 the case, you don鈥檛 have a starting quarterback.鈥�
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鈥檛 find it to be difficult entering this fall.
鈥淲henever camp came around this year in August, it felt like it had been several years since we鈥檇 done it,鈥� Strange said. 鈥淚 think that everyone was looking forward to it. I was.鈥�
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.
鈥淎ll things considered, if a handful of plays go the other way, I feel like we would鈥檝e won that game,鈥� Strange said. 鈥淔rom a team standpoint, I think we should鈥檝e won.鈥�
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.
馃毃SLEEPER ALERT馃毃 LG #69 Cole Strange got our attention with his flexibility, mobility, & strength vs. Kentucky. is type of after-whistle finisher who gets under people鈥檚 skin. Love the old-school bare arms/no gloves look. 馃挙馃搱 鈩笍
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB)
Since that game, Strange has been mentioned as a sleeper in this year鈥檚 draft on sites such as and .
Regardless of the buzz, Strange is just focusing on what he can control.
鈥淭he draft is still months away,鈥� Strange said. 鈥淓verything that is being said right now, it鈥檚 cool, I love hearing about it, it seems like it’s becoming a reality, but right now, it鈥檚 still just all words. It doesn鈥檛 mean anything if I don鈥檛 continue to go out there and play and improve and practice and get better.鈥�
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.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to just be a guy that鈥檚 on the team,鈥� Strange said. 鈥淚 want to actually compete and play good.鈥�
