It feels like every time we see a new quarterback take the NFL world by storm, the blueprint is always the same: they were a highly-touted prospect who played their college ball at a high-level Power 4 program, and oftentimes nowadays they transfer in. Ohio State. Alabama. Oregon. LSU. The list goes on, and it's getting repetitive.
But the Atlanta Falcons finally have someone going against the grain in undrafted rookie Jack Strand, who played his college ball at Minnesota State-Morehead. Not only is that a school you likely never heard of unless you live in Minnesota, they're far from the football powerhouse of other schools.
The reason you probably have never heard of the Dragons is because they're a Division-II school, which should make what Strand has accomplished all the more impressive. He wasn't throwing to a bunch of future NFL weapons, he was throwing to a bunch of average joes, and still thrived--which is a rarity nowadays.
Jack Strand could become one of the first D2 QBs to have NFL success
There have been guys like Carson Wentz, Joe Flacco, Tony Romo, and Jimmy Garoppolo who have become successful NFL quarterbacks from the FCS level. That's not particularly uncommon, even in the modern landscape. But having a successful QB come from the D2 level is virtually unheard of.
The only other D2 quarterback in the NFL is Chicago Bears backup Tyson Bagent. who set the NCAA's all-time passing touchdown record at Shepherd. But because of the level of competition of faced, he, like Strand, went undrafted, before finding a possible long-term home in the Windy City.
The 22-year-old has a similar story. He was a Harlon Hill Trophy nominee in each of his final three seasons as a starter, and is a two-time NSIC Offensive Player of the Year. And Strand's 13,161 career passing yards rank 10th all-time in D2 and threw for 126 touchdowns across his time as a starter.
Strand has proved to the Falcons he could be another Bagent. He took first-team reps in camp while both Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa were injured, and he displayed good arm strength, mobility, and command of the offense in Atlanta's preseason win over the Colts--where he completed 12 of 17 passes for 215 yards and totaled two scores and is making a real pitch to make the roster as the QB3.
You have to commend the kid. He could have entered the transfer portal and got major NIL compensation from a P4 school which likely would have put him on the NFL radar a whole lot more, but he instead chose to stay loyal--and that's rare given the opportunities he likely passed up on.
Not a lot of smaller-school players get the opportunity the Falcons gave him. He majored in engineering physics in college and was getting ready to work for NASA. So even though he likely didn't expect to find an NFL home, it's clear Strand is taking advantage in his quest for history.
If Jack Strand becomes a quality backup in this league, he becomes just like Tyson Bagent, but if he gets starts, he could become the NFL's ultimate unicorn at QB--and so far it looks like he could.
Add us as a preferred source on Google