2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Cole Strange, OG, UT-Chattanooga

• Name: Cole Strange
• Height: 6’5”
• Weight: 310 lbs
• Position: OG
• College: Tennessee-Chattanooga
• Twitter: @cole_strange1

What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?
I am majoring in Psychology. I will sometimes participate in CRU which is a Christian organization, but for the most part, I stay busy with football.

How did you end up at UT-Chattanooga?
I actually signed with the Air Force coming out of high school, but I ultimately decided to stay close to home and obtained a scholarship to Chattanooga.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?
They would say that I’m a hard worker. Whether it’s in the weight room or on the field, I’m a reliable teammate.

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?
I’m not the “Ra-Ra” guy, but I do see myself as a leader. I’m not too vocal, I’m more of a lead by example kind of player.

I’m comfortable running almost any scheme. I’m confident that I can play any position on the offensive line. I’ve started mainly at left guard, although I have had snaps at center.

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
One of the highest rated players that I was able to go up against was South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw, and I was actually able to have a good game against him. Outside of him, Isaiah Mack has been really good in practice.

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?
McClendon Curtis plays RG. He is one of the biggest and strongest guys that we have. 

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.
Here lately, there have been a few things in life that have posed a struggle. Dealing with my grandmother’s passing and my dog dying has been hard. With all that on top of this epidemic, it’s definitely great that I have football. It’s not only a great way to release tension, but it also provides a great family support system.

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?
I would wrestle or some sort of combat sport. There’s just something about the physicality and grit with those sports that are similar to football where you are imposing your will on another human being.

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?
I know I’ve accomplished some accolades like being named a Freshman All-American, Academic All-Conference and Second Team All-Conference. Yet, truly, I’m not very satisfied with what I’ve accomplished so far. It really helps drive me in order to achieve better things. I want to have done something that I can really be proud of. 

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.
We were playing against Furman, and it was towards the end of the game; we had already lost. There were about 10 seconds left and the coaches called a side zone right. I blocked my guy all the way to the outside and onto a table on the sideline eventually drawing a flag. What really set this play apart was how it showed my intensity and willingness to finish despite the circumstances.

Check out NFL Draft Diamonds 2021 Small School Rankings

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?
I can certainly appreciate guys like Zack Martin and Quenton Nelson, although I wouldn’t say that I model my game after them. I’m really trying to make a name for myself so that hopefully people will one day say that they play like Cole Strange.

Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?
Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of my favorites. I also listen to guys like Metallica or Led Zeppelin.

What is your favorite comfort food?
Doritos

Do you have a favorite movie or actor?
One of my favorite movies is Apocalypto.

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?
Before the Coronavirus started shutting things down, I was doing some Jiu Jitsu. One of my hobbies is that I collect records. I guess you could say that one of my secret talents is that I can solve a Rubix Cube.

Who or what motivates you the most?
My Dad. He always preached about being self-motivated saying things like “you need to want to do this on your own.” His health really hasn’t been great lately, but he has still been working hard doing his thing.
Another motivator is just not getting complacent. A lot of what I do these days revolves around football, and I don’t want to rest until I am able to get my opportunity in the NFL.