Derrick Strait
Encyclopedia
Derrick Strait is a professional American football
cornerback
who is currently a free agent. Strait was originally drafted by the New York Jets
in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Oklahoma
.
Strait has also been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
, Chicago Bears
, Carolina Panthers
, Columbus Destroyers
and Edmonton Eskimos
. He won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy
and Jim Thorpe Award
at Oklahoma in 2003.
in Austin, playing football for former University of Texas player Wade Johnson. While in high school Strait was selected to the Texas Top 100 by the Houston Chronicle
and a Max Emfinger National Top 500 selection. Strait saw action as a quarterback
, defensive back
and running back
during his senior
season, where he rushed for 1,439 yards and 17 touchdowns, recording eight runs of 20 or more yards, including one of 81 yards and also threw three touchdowns. He also had, 118 tackles (52 solos), one sack
, two forced fumble
s, four fumble recoveries, 11 pass deflections and two interceptions on defense. He returned one fumble 42 yards for a touchdown. Strait combined for more than 1,500 yards as a junior
(790 passing and 712 rushing). He was an All-District standout as well as being selected to the All-CenTex team.
where he was a starter
at the cornerback
position all four years. Derrick was a two-time All-American, recipient of the 2003 Bronko Nagurski Trophy
, and the 2003 Jim Thorpe Award
his senior season. He holds a team record with five fumble recoveries in a single season. He was named to the Sports Illustrated All-Decade Team in 2009.
, Freshman All-America selection by The Sporting News
, an All-Big 12 third team selection by the Big 12 Coaches. Strait started every game at right cornerback and finished his first season fourth in tackles with 62. He also recorded five tackles for loss, two sacks and 15 pass deflections. He recorded the second most deflections on the team and fourth most for an Oklahoma defensive back in a single season. Strait recorded one of his biggest deflections late in the Oklahoma State
game when he broke up a pass in the end zone on fourth and goal, which helped Oklahoma secure the victory. Strait also had another key breakup in the Orange Bowl against Florida State
, with he deflected a possible touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, he also had five tackles in the game. Strat had a two of interceptions, including a third quarter pick against Nebraska which he returned 32 yards for a touchdown, he was also one of five Sooners to return an interception for a touchdown. He recorded a career high 10 tackles against Texas
. He also recorded five tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack a week later at Kansas State
. Strait also had seven tackles and an interception in the final home game of the year against Texas Tech
.
. He was also an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection by the Big 12 Coaches. Strait emerged as one of the better cover corners in the country. He recorded a season high nine tackles at Nebraska
. Strait had at least three tackles in 11 of the 12 regular season games. Strait had eight tackles against Texas. He returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown in the season opener against North Carolina
, cutting across the field in almost an exact replay of his TD against Nebraska the previous year. Strait did however give up the winning touchdown in the 2001 Bedlam Series
against Oklahoma State to Rashaun Woods
, unable to perform his game-saving magic of a year ago.
On February 9, 2004, Dem. Senator Debbe Leftwich
, praised Strait on the Senate floor when she presented him with Senate Resolution 36.
by the New York Jets
. After spending two seasons primarily as a backup defensive back, Strait was traded to the Cleveland Browns
on August 14, 2006 for running back Lee Suggs
. Suggs, however, failed his physical, and both he and Strait returned to their respective teams. On October 11, 2006 he was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
, but was released a week later. On November 8, 2006, he was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears
. On December 9, 2006 he was released by the Bears. On December 11, 2006 he was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers
. On September 1, 2007, he did not make the final cut down, and was released by the Panthers.
of the Arena Football League. However he was waived on February 13.
.
On March 6, 2009, he was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
but was released at the beginning of training camp.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
who is currently a free agent. Strait was originally drafted by the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft
2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24-25, 2004 at the theater at Madison Square Garden...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
.
Strait has also been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
, Columbus Destroyers
Columbus Destroyers
The Columbus Destroyers were an Arena Football League team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team was founded in as the Buffalo Destroyers, based in Buffalo, New York, and relocated to Columbus in . They folded along with the original incarnation of the AFL following the 2008 season, after a total of...
and Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
. He won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America to be the best defensively in the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the award is presented by the Charlotte...
and Jim Thorpe Award
Jim Thorpe Award
The Jim Thorpe Award, named in memory of multi-sport legend Jim Thorpe, has been awarded to the top defensive back in college football since 1986...
at Oklahoma in 2003.
Early years
Attended Lanier High SchoolLanier High School (Austin, Texas)
Sidney Lanier High School was established in 1961 as the sixth high school in the Austin Independent School District and was originally located in the building which is now Burnet Middle School. Lanier is named in honor of the famous Confederate soldier and southern poet Sidney Lanier. The current...
in Austin, playing football for former University of Texas player Wade Johnson. While in high school Strait was selected to the Texas Top 100 by the Houston Chronicle
Houston Chronicle
The Houston Chronicle is the largest daily newspaper in Texas, USA, headquartered in the Houston Chronicle Building in Downtown Houston. , it is the ninth-largest newspaper by circulation in the United States...
and a Max Emfinger National Top 500 selection. Strait saw action as a quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
, defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
and running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
during his senior
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
season, where he rushed for 1,439 yards and 17 touchdowns, recording eight runs of 20 or more yards, including one of 81 yards and also threw three touchdowns. He also had, 118 tackles (52 solos), one sack
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
, two forced fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
s, four fumble recoveries, 11 pass deflections and two interceptions on defense. He returned one fumble 42 yards for a touchdown. Strait combined for more than 1,500 yards as a junior
Eleventh grade
Eleventh Grade is the eleventh, and for some countries final, grade of secondary schools. Students are typically 16 or 17 years of age, depending on the country and the students' birthdays.-Brazil:...
(790 passing and 712 rushing). He was an All-District standout as well as being selected to the All-CenTex team.
College
Upon graduating from high school he received a scholarship to play for OklahomaOklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
where he was a starter
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
at the cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
position all four years. Derrick was a two-time All-American, recipient of the 2003 Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America to be the best defensively in the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the award is presented by the Charlotte...
, and the 2003 Jim Thorpe Award
Jim Thorpe Award
The Jim Thorpe Award, named in memory of multi-sport legend Jim Thorpe, has been awarded to the top defensive back in college football since 1986...
his senior season. He holds a team record with five fumble recoveries in a single season. He was named to the Sports Illustrated All-Decade Team in 2009.
Freshman (2000)
In 2000, Strait was selected as the Big 12 Conference Defensive Newcomer of the Year by the Associated PressAssociated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
, Freshman All-America selection by The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
, an All-Big 12 third team selection by the Big 12 Coaches. Strait started every game at right cornerback and finished his first season fourth in tackles with 62. He also recorded five tackles for loss, two sacks and 15 pass deflections. He recorded the second most deflections on the team and fourth most for an Oklahoma defensive back in a single season. Strait recorded one of his biggest deflections late in the Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State Cowboys football
The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in college football. The team is a member of the Big 12 Conference and completes at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Cowboys are led by Mike Gundy, who is in his seventh year as...
game when he broke up a pass in the end zone on fourth and goal, which helped Oklahoma secure the victory. Strait also had another key breakup in the Orange Bowl against Florida State
Florida State Seminoles football
The Florida State Seminoles football team represents Florida State University in college football. The Florida State Seminoles compete in NCAA Division I-FBS and are members of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, with he deflected a possible touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, he also had five tackles in the game. Strat had a two of interceptions, including a third quarter pick against Nebraska which he returned 32 yards for a touchdown, he was also one of five Sooners to return an interception for a touchdown. He recorded a career high 10 tackles against Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
. He also recorded five tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack a week later at Kansas State
Kansas State Wildcats
Kansas State University's athletic teams are called the Wildcats. The official color of the teams is Royal Purple, making Kansas State one of very few schools that have only one official color; white and silver are generally used as complementary colors.Kansas State participates in...
. Strait also had seven tackles and an interception in the final home game of the year against Texas Tech
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
.
Sophomore (2001)
In 2001, Strait was an All-Big 12 Second Team selection by the Associated PressAssociated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
. He was also an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection by the Big 12 Coaches. Strait emerged as one of the better cover corners in the country. He recorded a season high nine tackles at Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
. Strait had at least three tackles in 11 of the 12 regular season games. Strait had eight tackles against Texas. He returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown in the season opener against North Carolina
North Carolina Tar Heels football
The North Carolina Tar Heels football team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in collegiate level football. In Carolina’s first 121 seasons of football competition, the Tar Heels have compiled a record of 646–488–54, a winning percentage of .566...
, cutting across the field in almost an exact replay of his TD against Nebraska the previous year. Strait did however give up the winning touchdown in the 2001 Bedlam Series
Bedlam Series
The Bedlam Series refers to the athletics rivalry between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State University Cowboys, of the Big 12 Conference...
against Oklahoma State to Rashaun Woods
Rashaun Woods
Rashaun Dorrell Woods is a professional football player who recently played in the Canadian Football League prior to his release by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 22, 2008...
, unable to perform his game-saving magic of a year ago.
Junior (2002)
In 2002, Strait was a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist, consensus All-Big 12 first team. He started every game at cornerback. He tied for the team lead with six interceptions, the No. 10 total in school history, and set a school record for return yards in a season by taking his six interceptions back for 175 yards. Strait had two interceptions at Baylor which he returned for a school record 127 yards, one for a 75-yard touchdown. Strait had a total of 175 interception return yards for the season rank third on the team. Strait had a season high eight tackles at Texas A&M.Senior (2003)
In 2003, Strait won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and the Jim Thorpe Award.On February 9, 2004, Dem. Senator Debbe Leftwich
Debbe Leftwich
Debbe Leftwich is a United States politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma and was a member of the Oklahoma Senate from 2003-2010.-Early life:Born in Chandler, Oklahoma, Leftwitch grew up in Wellston, Oklahoma where she graduated from Wellston High School...
, praised Strait on the Senate floor when she presented him with Senate Resolution 36.
National Football League
Strait was selected with the 13th pick in the 3rd round of the 2004 NFL Draft2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24-25, 2004 at the theater at Madison Square Garden...
by the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. After spending two seasons primarily as a backup defensive back, Strait was traded to the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on August 14, 2006 for running back Lee Suggs
Lee Suggs
Lee Ernest Suggs, Jr. is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia Tech...
. Suggs, however, failed his physical, and both he and Strait returned to their respective teams. On October 11, 2006 he was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, but was released a week later. On November 8, 2006, he was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. On December 9, 2006 he was released by the Bears. On December 11, 2006 he was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
. On September 1, 2007, he did not make the final cut down, and was released by the Panthers.
Arena Football League
In 2008, Strait joined the Columbus DestroyersColumbus Destroyers
The Columbus Destroyers were an Arena Football League team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team was founded in as the Buffalo Destroyers, based in Buffalo, New York, and relocated to Columbus in . They folded along with the original incarnation of the AFL following the 2008 season, after a total of...
of the Arena Football League. However he was waived on February 13.
Canadian Football League
On March 4, 2008, Strait signed with the Edmonton EskimosEdmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
.
On March 6, 2009, he was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
but was released at the beginning of training camp.
External links
- Edmonton Eskimos bio
- Carolina Panthers bio
- New York Jets bio
- Player card on ESPN.comESPN.comESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
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