Jacob Strickler of Sullivan South (Kingsport, Tenn.) High School, signed with the United States Naval Academy on Wednesday. Look inside for a photo and quotes from Strickler.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound outside linebacker committed to the Navy’s Ashley Ingram on January 26th, 2015.
“What really sold me on Navy was the coaches and the atmosphere in and around the city of Annapolis. I went to see the campus and enjoyed the players personalities, the coaches personalities, all of the people were great. I had never been to a hockey game before, but got to go to one there. It’s really a nice town, right on the Chesapeake Bay. The military aspect isn’t something I’m either for or against, but something I have to do.”
Jacob Strickler had additional offers from Army, Austin Peay, Penn, and Yale.
“The linebackers coaches really love the way I hit and love my size. They said I move well to the ball. I got to know Coach (Dan) O’Brien and Coach (Justin) Davis. They were showing me stuff they do on film, and I thought they explained things very well. The seemed like great all-around coaches to play for.”
As a senior at Sullivan South, Strickler had 160 total tackles (a school record), 30 tackles for loss (a school record), eight sacks and six forced fumbles. He was named first team All-State, and Defensive Player of the Year in the region. He finished with 29 career sacks (a school record), and most tackles in a game (30), also a school record. Strickler will be heading to NAPS in the summer.
