"Derrick Strait has had a huge impact on our program the past four years. He really epitomizes what we appreciate in our players. He is humble and self-sacrifices for the good of our program." --- Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops
Up against some of college football's finest defensive backs, Oklahoma's Derrick Strait proved to be the best in the nation, receiving this year's Jim Thorpe Award. As a driving force behind OU's top-rated defense, Strait set school records during his career for consecutive starts (53), career interception return yards (397) and passes broken up (52). He has duplicated former OU great Roy Williams by winning the 2003 Bronko Nagurski Trophy for best defensive player and the Jim Thorpe Award. This year, Strait has collected All-American honors from the AFCA, Walter Camp Foundation, FWAA, CBSSportsline.com and The Sporting News. He was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year by the Associate Press, Big 12 Player of the Year, All-Big 12 first team and he is a two-time SBC Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week.
In 2003, Strait contributed to a win over Texas with a season-high 11 tackles, an interception and 30-yard return, two fumble recoveries and three pass deflections. He also had an interception and 97-yard interception return against Texas Tech and returned a fumble 17 yards for a touchdown against Texas A&M. Strait had 11 tackles, all unassisted, a pass break up and a fumble recovery against LSU in the 2003 Nokia Sugar bowl. In 2002, he was a Thorpe Award semifinalist, consensus All-Big 12 first team and started every game at corner.Strait's ability to run and learn quickly combined with his ball handling skills strengthened the OU defense and contributed to the team's National Championship in 2000. Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops says Strait has an understanding of the game. "Our guys have seen him make plays every year that are difference makers."
"He is consistently great. He's not perfect, but he bounces back and plays. He is an inspiration to a lot of kids because he chose the right path," said former OU co-defensive coordinator Mike Stoops.
His strength and determination has established more than just coveted honors. His family inspired his desire to succeed at football. Growing up in Austin, Texas, Derrick and his family were faced with financial challenges that at times forced him to manage school, sports and working at a local furniture store to help support his family. When times got worse, Strait went to live with his high school coach, Rodney Greene. Greene provided Strait discipline, support and guidance. Greene is the man Strait now calls father.
As a three-sport letterman, playing football, basketball and running track at Lanier High School, Derrick envisioned sports as a way to college and to help his mother. "She's everything to me," Strait sad about his mother Brenda. "She's the driving force behind everything I do. She did whatever it took. It was hard growing up seeing those types of things. I told myself I'd be a strong as her." In high school, he was a Texas Top 100 pick by the Houston Chronicle and a Max Emfinger National Top 500 selection. He rushed for 1,439 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior. Schools such as Kentucky, Arizona State, Texas Tech recruited Strait, but he chose Oklahoma as his home.
Derrick joins the history of the Jim Thorpe Award as the award's 19th recipient along with former Sooners Roy Williams (2001) and Rickey Dixon (1987). Strait beat out Miami's Sean Taylor and Florida's Keiwan Ratliff for the honor. Strait contributes most of his success to his teammates. "You depend on your teammates to make plays and they depend on you," he said.