Wake Forest Athletics
Strnad in Position to Learn and Contribute in Year One with Broncos
8/17/2020 12:09:00 PM | Football, Les Johns
Les Johns
Being selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos has put former Demon Deacon Justin Strnad in an enviable position. He's with a top-flight organization, has a chance to learn from some of the best in the league and will get a chance to play with a pair of teammates as he starts his professional career.
"It was a night I'll always remember," Strnad said about being the overall No. 178 pick in the Draft in late April. "I've been blessed with an opportunity to play for a great organization. It's a great situation with their linebacker room. It's a great spot for me. I can develop, learn to become a professional and find a way hopefully to contribute to the team as fast as possible.
"I expected to go a little higher, but I'm just grateful to have the opportunity. I'm just going to make the most of it. Once you're in the NFL, it's about what you do with that opportunity. I'm looking forward to making something happen in Denver."
New Broncos head coach Vic Fangio has coached 41 years, while serving as a defensive coordinator for 20 years. He's been in charge of the defense for the Panthers, Colts, Texans, 49ers and Bears.
"Our head coach is a great defensive mind," Strnad said. "He's been coaching defense in the NFL for a long, long time. It's great to work with someone like that. The division we're in has some of the best tight ends in this division, so having the ability to matchup with those tight ends is something that I can help the team with."
Strnad finished his Wake Forest career in 2019 with 244 tackles, eight sacks and four interceptions. His senior season was cut short with an injury against Florida State, leading to the first missed games of his entire collegiate career.
While Strnad hopes to contribute early, he knows he'll have to earn his playing time.
"In a perfect world, they see me coming in this year and contributing on special teams, then maybe if I have a good camp getting in on third downs and maybe getting in the linebacker rotation," he said. "It will depend on how fast I pick up the defense and grow as a player."
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted Strnad in terms of preparing for the NFL Draft and staying in shape as he prepared to report to training camp.
"I've been working out in my garage more than normal, just to lower the risk," he said. "I've been playing a lot of golf, and then hitting the fields to get work in terms of change of direction and conditioning."
He's also watched more than his share of UFC events, with the organization becoming one of the first sporting activities to return to action earlier this year.
"I'm a big UFC fan, so I've been watching all these events," Strnad said. "One of the events a couple months ago featured my favorite fighter, Justin Gaethje, who won the Interim Lightweight Title. It's great to be able to watch these events."
Joining Strnad in Denver are cornerback Essang Bassey and wide receiver Kendall Hinton, who both signed free agent deals with the Broncos in the hours following the draft.
"It's great to be going somewhere new but have a person or two who you can relate to,' Strnad said. "It's great to see them in camp and be able to play ball with them."
The Broncos are slated to play in Charlotte on Sunday, December 13, which could bring a trio of former Demon Deacons back to the area. While Wake Forest fans will be tracking Strnad and the Broncos, he's still going to be keeping a watchful eye on his former teammates back in Winston-Salem.
"I'm looking forward to starting this new journey," Strnad said. "I'm always going to support the Deacs and I can't wait to see them ball out this year."
"It was a night I'll always remember," Strnad said about being the overall No. 178 pick in the Draft in late April. "I've been blessed with an opportunity to play for a great organization. It's a great situation with their linebacker room. It's a great spot for me. I can develop, learn to become a professional and find a way hopefully to contribute to the team as fast as possible.
"I expected to go a little higher, but I'm just grateful to have the opportunity. I'm just going to make the most of it. Once you're in the NFL, it's about what you do with that opportunity. I'm looking forward to making something happen in Denver."
New Broncos head coach Vic Fangio has coached 41 years, while serving as a defensive coordinator for 20 years. He's been in charge of the defense for the Panthers, Colts, Texans, 49ers and Bears.
"Our head coach is a great defensive mind," Strnad said. "He's been coaching defense in the NFL for a long, long time. It's great to work with someone like that. The division we're in has some of the best tight ends in this division, so having the ability to matchup with those tight ends is something that I can help the team with."
Strnad finished his Wake Forest career in 2019 with 244 tackles, eight sacks and four interceptions. His senior season was cut short with an injury against Florida State, leading to the first missed games of his entire collegiate career.
While Strnad hopes to contribute early, he knows he'll have to earn his playing time.
"In a perfect world, they see me coming in this year and contributing on special teams, then maybe if I have a good camp getting in on third downs and maybe getting in the linebacker rotation," he said. "It will depend on how fast I pick up the defense and grow as a player."
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted Strnad in terms of preparing for the NFL Draft and staying in shape as he prepared to report to training camp.
"I've been working out in my garage more than normal, just to lower the risk," he said. "I've been playing a lot of golf, and then hitting the fields to get work in terms of change of direction and conditioning."
He's also watched more than his share of UFC events, with the organization becoming one of the first sporting activities to return to action earlier this year.
"I'm a big UFC fan, so I've been watching all these events," Strnad said. "One of the events a couple months ago featured my favorite fighter, Justin Gaethje, who won the Interim Lightweight Title. It's great to be able to watch these events."
Joining Strnad in Denver are cornerback Essang Bassey and wide receiver Kendall Hinton, who both signed free agent deals with the Broncos in the hours following the draft.
"It's great to be going somewhere new but have a person or two who you can relate to,' Strnad said. "It's great to see them in camp and be able to play ball with them."
The Broncos are slated to play in Charlotte on Sunday, December 13, which could bring a trio of former Demon Deacons back to the area. While Wake Forest fans will be tracking Strnad and the Broncos, he's still going to be keeping a watchful eye on his former teammates back in Winston-Salem.
"I'm looking forward to starting this new journey," Strnad said. "I'm always going to support the Deacs and I can't wait to see them ball out this year."
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