The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Mike Strachan’s lifelong pro football dreams became a reality when he heard his name called on night three of the 2021 National Football League Draft.

The former University of Charleston wide receiver and Grand Bahama native was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the first pick of the seventh round (229th overall) as the draft concluded Saturday night.

“God has just been good to me. I’m thankful to be surrounded by my family, they came up all the way from The Bahamas for this moment,” he told NFL.com following his selection.

“We have been patient throughout the whole process. Me getting that call, it was a special moment for me and it really touched me. As soon as I heard my name called my family got excited and it brought tears to my eyes….I just appreciate (the Colts) giving me a chance. It means the world to me and my family.”

Strachan became the third Bahamian born player to be drafted into the NFL following Ed Smith in 1973 (Denver Broncos - Round 13, pick 319) and Devard Darling in 2004 (Baltimore Ravens - Round 3, pick 82).

Strachan became a fan favourite and garnered attention from several franchises following a standout performance at his Pro Day in March.

He measured 6’5”, 228 pounds with 85” wingspan and 10” hands. He ran a 4.46 secs 40-yard dash, put up 20 reps on the bench press at 225 pounds, posted a 35” vertical leap, 10’7” broad jump, 4.20 secs in the short shuttle and 6.96 secs in the 3-cone drill.

“I can really see (the Colts) using me in the red zone with my 6’5’ frame and with my combination of speed and strength. They can use me in so many different ways, they can put me on the outside, they can put me on the inside, shift me around the field and use me as a big target, especially with the tools I’m bringing to the organisation,” Strachan said.

“It’s motivating to me to have the fans and media thinking positive things about me and it just pushes me to get out there to keep getting better, to prove them right. It gives me that jump to go out there and try to be the best and prove something to the people that believe in me and speak all those good things about me.”

Strachan was one of just eight players selected from the FCS and Division II and III levels.

In his junior season, Strachan rewrote the University of Charleston record books and boosted his stock for pro scouts. He was named an NCAA Division II Second Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association and to the 2019 Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-America team.

He finished with 78 receptions for 1,319 yards and 19 touchdowns in his final season with the Golden Eagles. He finished his career with a share of the all-time Charleston touchdown record of 27.

He set new school records, led the Mountain East Conference in each category and was second in all of DII in both receiving yards and touchdowns. He also achieved Division II Top-10 marks for the 2019 season in receiving touchdowns (second), receiving yards (sixth), receptions (ninth), and receiving yards per game (fifth).

“This might be the biggest steal in this draft. Me knowing what I can do and what I know I can bring to this team,” Strachan said.

‘‘It’s every high-schooler’s goal to come out and be able to go D-1. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for me. Charleston was one of the schools that was patient with me. They loved me for who I was. They loved my game. They were interested. I took a visit. I fell in love with the coaches, the teammates and I just felt like it was the place for me. So I came in, I committed and here I am today.”

The remainder of the Colts 2021 Draft Class included Michigan Defensive End Kwity Paye (Round 1, Pick 21), Vanderbilt Defensive End Dayo Odeyingbo (Round 2, Pick 54), SMU Tight End Kylen Granson (Round 4, Pick 127), Florida Safety Shawn Davis (Round 5, Pick 165), Texas Quarterback Sam Ehlinger (Round 6, Pick 218) and Penn State Guard Will Fries (Round 7, Pick 248). Colts Scout Chad Henry told the Indianapolis Star that Strachan’s impressive performance at his pro day made an impact on the team’s decision making process.

“So I go to West Virginia’s pro day. Charleston didn’t play this year. They started out; they practiced for about half the year before the season was shut down. So here’s a guy coming from a small school, who didn’t play and he’s in phenomenal shape. I mean, he’s in as good of shape as anyone at this workout. He blows up the testing, then when they go to run the routes, it was clear this guy had been busting his butt. He’s very self aware that way. In the pro day, which was the first time I saw him live, he put on a show. He showed, yeah, I can do more than just run streaks and fades and that sort of stuff. There’s still going to be a learning curve, but the upside is there. And the kid is very willing to do it. The self-awareness he showed coming out of pro day is excellent.”

Henry drew parallels between Strachan and the team’s recent history of drafting wide receiver prospects from small schools, most notably, Pierre Garcon out of Division III Mount Union in 2008.

Garcon went on to have an 11 year career, including four years with the Colts where he totaled 188 receptions for 2519 yards and 16 touchdowns in 58 games.

“The thing I think both of these guys have — and it was probably my favorite thing about Pierre coming out, is that despite the fact that they’re coming from a smaller school, they had the hunger and the confidence. You didn’t feel like it was going to be too big for them,” Henry said, “I use the reference of Mike going to West Virginia’s pro day. He’s the DII guy going to the Power 5 pro day, and he was the star. If Mike is blessed to have the career Pierre did, I think we’re all going to be very happy.”

Strachan signed with DEC Management in November and also recently joined The Society brand and marketing agency.