NFL DraftProspect Interviews

2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Dedrick Strambler, S, Hardin Simmons

Dedrick Strambler
Dedrick Strambler is a dangerous ballhawking safety out of Hardin Simmons University. He recently sat down with NFL Draft Diamonds writer Jimmy Williams.
  • Name: Dedrick Strambler
  • Height: 6’3”
  • Weight: 218 lbs
  • Position: Safety
  • College: Hardin Simmons University
  • Twitter: @D_Stram

Tell us about your university/college. What is your major/minor? Did you participate in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?
HSU is a private school in Abilene,TX. My major is in Sports Management and Fitness Recreation and a minor in Marketing. I do not participate in any other activities on campus besides football and school, but I am friends with a lot of people on campus.

What do your teammates say is your best quality?
My work ethic and always having their backs through anything.

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?
I feel like I am a big part of our defense because of my ability to cover ground and also come down hill to make a tackle. That’s what I’ve been working on. My skill set is a Free Safety, like a middle of the field safety patrolling sideline to sideline. 

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?
The best player I played against is probably Richard Johnson from ETBU.

Which one of your teammates impresses you the most?
Jaquan Hemphill. He was our running back, and he was phenomenal and did a lot of things I had never seen before.

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.
My grandpa passing away was pretty hard on me, and he is the only grandpa I’ve known. It was hard at first but my teammates helped me get through it, and I appreciate them for that. 

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?
If I didn’t play football, I’d play basketball even though I’m not that good!

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?
I’m most proud of just everything I have overcome to get to where I am today and proved a lot of people wrong. My biggest achievement would be being elected captain by my teammates. 

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.
TLU my sophomore year, I forget what the score was, but TLU had the ball and were driving on us, and they ran a hitch and go. I was in the middle of the field, and I was reading the quarterback ,and it took me to the hitch and go. I took off and picked it off and we went on to take a knee and win.

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?
My favorite athlete is Lebron James. He does it all on and off the court. I try to model my game after Kam Chancellor. He is probably my favorite safety and best that I have seen play. 

Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?
That’s tough….. I’d have to say Gunna. Before games I listen to a lot. I have a little sequence. I go through anything from r&b to underground rap but I like NBA YoungBoy before games a lot. It turns me up!

What is your favorite comfort food?
Chicken Fried steak with white gravy

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?
I like to go to the lake and hang out with family and friends. I like to play corn hole a lot. Other than that just hanging with friends! 

Who or what motivates you the most?
My family. They have done so much for me, and I owe them the world.  Even when I don’t feel like doing something, I think about them and I have to do it. Beating the odds to make it from D3 to the league is a big motivator for me as well. 

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