MOORHEAD — There are no guarantees former Minnesota State University Moorhead quarterback Jack Strand will be drafted, but NFL teams are going to spend some valuable capital on him.
Strand tells The Forum he’s been invited to meet with “a handful” of teams in person, an important step in the draft process because it shows interest beyond a brief conversation with a scout or a meeting via video call.
ADVERTISEMENT
Here’s why: NFL teams are limited to host a maximum of 30 draft-eligible prospects for in-person, one-day visits to their facility, so for a franchise to spend one of those on Strand would indicate strong interest.
Strand declined to name the teams, citing the advice of his agent, but will fly to meet with at least two NFL teams next week. He said he expects there will be more in-person meetings after that.
On an appearance on “Hot Mic with Dom Izzo” on WDAY-TV on Tuesday, Strand said he met with the New England Patriots after North Dakota State’s pro day in March and has had video meetings with the Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos.
Strand completed a fruitful and decorated career with the Dragons last fall, being a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy that goes to the best player in NCAA Division II and making four All-American teams on either the first- or second-teams. A four-year starter, he threw for 13,161 yards and 126 TDs over his career.
NFL teams particularly like his strong right arm and size at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds. Strand played in the American Bowl all-star game and participated in the Bison’s pro day, both of which generated “a good amount of interest.”
MSUM sports information director Nolan Schmidt says 29 NFL teams visited practices last fall and about a dozen visited more than once.
Whether Strand will get drafted is an open question.
ADVERTISEMENT
031926.S.FF.ProDay.9
Minnesota State University Moorhead quarterback Jack Strand winds up to throw a pass to a teammate during Pro Day on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Nodak Insurance Football Performance Complex in Fargo.
Alyssa Goelzer / The Forum
One draft analyst, Josh Buchanan of NFL Draft Scout who focuses on small-school prospects at the FCS level and below, lists Strand as the fifth-best small-school prospect and projects him to be a sixth- or seventh-round pick.
The more well-known draft gurus from major media outlets don’t grade Strand as high and don’t list him among their draft prospects.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler told The Forum last week he doesn’t have a draftable grade on Strand but said the quarterback is in line to be an immediate priority free agent signing after the draft is held April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
“There is definitely intrigue out there for him,” Brugler said.
Strand said on “Hot Mic” that scouts tell him to focus on the basics because he didn’t take snaps under center during his MSUM career and that will be required of him in the NFL.
“The feedback was to continue to work on the under-the-center stuff and get really consistent with my drops because sometimes I’ll be taking a drop-back and my feet will still be a little off, or it’s like I’m kind of indecisive at the drop that I want to do. So that’s something I’ve been working quite a bit on, just being consistent,” Strand said. “That has to be second nature for me because that’s not something they really have time to teach at the next level, because it’s all about concepts and reading defense and stuff.”
Strand he’s made sure to enjoy the attention and opportunity he’s receiving, especially coming from a Division II school like MSUM.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The biggest thing for me is kind of staying where my feet are. I don’t want to look too far in the future and what could happen. That’s kind of my mentality this whole time, just being in the moment because this is an opportunity you only get one time,” Strand said. “To go through this whole process, have a chance to talk with all these different coaches from different teams and potentially have a chance to go check out some different facilities, different places. You get to see a lot of things that you otherwise wouldn’t. So I just kind of stay in the moment and then when that phone call comes, I’ll be ready for it.”
Mike McFeely
Opinion by Mike McFeely
Mike McFeely is a columnist for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. He began working for The Forum in the 1980s while he was a student studying journalism at Minnesota State University Moorhead. He's been with The Forum full time since 1990, minus a six-year hiatus when he hosted a local radio talk-show.
Twitter Facebook