2010 Spartan Nation Football Profile: Jonathan Strayhorn DE #57

 Expectation: Backup DE  Height:  6’  Weight: 266#  2010 Eligibility: Junior Red Shirt  EXP: 2 letters  Status: Backup DE Â

 

Strayhorn is a walk on who gets respectable reps at a Big Ten institution. Liked and respected, this young man has heart and character. Photo courtesy of MSU SID

Expectation:Â Backup DE

 

Height:  6’

 

Weight:Â 266#

 

2010 Eligibility: Junior Red Shirt 

 

EXP:Â 2 letters

 

Status:Â Backup DE

 

Strengths: Besides a personality that can light up any room, Jonathan Strayhorn has the heart of the Notre Dame ICON Rudy. This walk-on has heart and soul that makes me smile. When the picture you see was first released I literally laughed out loud. As this youngster tried to look tough, I can tell you his smile and heart of gold make him one of the most special people on the team. He is tough, but the picture is not him. He is both a gentleman and kind.

 

Against Montana State in the first quarter with 13:46 to go, the Bobcats faced a third and six. As the QB scrambled, the high-motored Strayhorn came across the field to make an amazing tackle. The Bobcats didn’t get the first down and Strayhorn’s motor is why.

 

Weakness: Against Purdue in the second quarter, the Boilers had the ball at their own 41. It was a first and ten. The high-motored Strayhorn got an illegal penalty when he shoved the center. The Boilers ended up getting into the field goal range and probably wouldn’t have without the penalty. It was a mental error. Strayhorn’s motor and pure adulation of playing the game of football got the best of him.

 

As a walk-on fighting scholarship players for playing time, that mistake is even more unacceptable. Unlike some players who have all the size, speed, strength, and skills and none of the heart, Strayhorn has enough heart for all of them. He just can’t beat himself.

 

Final Analysis: There was a lot of disappointment for Strayhorn this year from his teammates that Mark Dantonio didn’t hand him a scholarship. With the loss of some young men whose character many questioned, there was hope this high character young man would be rewarded. It didn’t happen.

 

I can tell you this, don’t you worry one second that it will have ANY affect on the play of Strayhorn. He will be out there in 2010 playing and having an impact. I can only ask you to remember this one thing; in this case the picture is a lie. He plays tough, but doesn’t act it. He is a special person who has the love and appreciation of his teammates.

 

Next up: QB Kirk Cousins