The job of a defensive end is simple – blow off the line at the snap, get past the offensive lineman and tackle either the quarterback or running back.
For Joe Strickland, he excels at doing just that and, for Brebeuf Jesuit, that is a great thing.
“What I enjoy most about the defensive end position is that it is the best position on the field. We play the run. We pass rush and we throw down bigger guys,” Strickland told Sideline Prep Sports Report.
At 6-foot-4-inches and 245-pounds, Strickland is a four-star prospect with a laundry list of colleges already offering him. For the record, he has offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Penn State, Purdue and Toledo. In addition, he has been recruited by Notre Dame, Ohio State, Northwestern and Wisconsin, as well.
It should come as no surprise to those who know the hard working student-athlete. His father played basketball at Auburn University and he has been working out with former Indianapolis Colts defensive standouts Robert Mathis and Dan Muir.
He admits he is not surprised by the offers and success due to the amount of work he has put in.
“No, I haven’t been thinking I’d end up like this, but as time went on, I realized I’d have a shot in doing what I am doing today,” Strickland said.
A season ago, Brebeuf finished 7-3 on the season. In his sophomore season, Strickland showed why schools are all over him and the potential he has, recording 24 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss and 5 sacks.
Those numbers have driven him to produce his junior season.
“My goals for the team is beat the bigger schools we play and stay together the whole season as a family. My goals are to average two sacks a game and to be the best player I am able to be,” Strickland told Sideline Prep Sports Report.