2019 NFL Draft Profiles: Linebacker Connor Strachan

Heading into the 2014 recruiting class, there was a local recruit that many felt was a can’t miss for the Boston College Eagles. Linebacker Connor Strachan came from BC lineage, as his uncle was a star for the Eagles in the early 80’s, the MVP of the 1984 Cotton Bowl. So when he committed to the Eagles in 2013 it was a big deal. Ranked the #192 recruit in that class by Rivals, a 4* out of St. Sebastian in Needham, the inside linebacker chose the Eagles over UVA, Syracuse, Wake Forest, UMass and lesser schools like UConn.

He saw limited game time his first year on campus with the Eagles, seeing some action in 12 games but only recording a handful of tackles. In his sophomore season he really started to get attention when he finished tied for the lead in the ACC with three fumble recoveries, and 26th in the league with 6.2 tackles per game. He was named ACC Linebacker of the Week after tallying a career-high nine tackles (seven solo) against Northern Illinois.

Strachan’s junior year showed a continue progression as a player, finishing the season with four recovered fumbles, 80 tackles (11 for loss), and was an All ACC Honorable Mention. Connor hit a set back in 2017 when he was knocked out for the season with a year ending knee injury, but returned in 2018 after receiving a medical redshirt. His final year on the Heights he had monster games against Wake Forest, Virginia Tech and Miami.

Physical Stats (completed during BC Pro Day)

Height: 6’0
Weight: 230
40: 4.75
Bench Press: 25
Vertical: 36
3 Cone: 3.96

Scouting Report:

Connor has a lot of the qualities that have become a hallmark for BC linebackers. He’s tough, instinctual, and is good at diagnosing plays. Definitely a major question mark going into his final season was his speed, but he may have answered some of those questions with his 4.75 40 time during BC’s pro day, a result that would have put him just outside the Top 10 if he had participated in the combine. Coaches will love the mentality of Strachan, though there hasn’t been a ton of big plays coming out of college.

If you want to know what kind of player Strachan is, I think his coach said it best during his junior season. Via the Metrowest Daily News: “He’s a violent player,” said BC coach Steve Addazio. “He’s a competitive, tough-ass player, and you just like being around him. I mean, he loves the game. ... Connor Strachan is relentless — I’ve been around those guys, and those guys all possess that kind of common — they’re self-driven. You don’t have to coach them on effort, nothing.

Draft Outlook

While Strachan has certainly has made some plays in college, he may not have done enough to distinguish himself and earn a spot in the draft. However, that is not to say his prospects in the NFL are finished. Strachan strikes me as a player that will get to choose his spot in UDFA. He had meetings with the Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders and San Fransisco 49ers, so I would expect he ends up with one of those teams.