‘Gritty’ Brandon Strausser fits perfectly with culture at Kutztown University
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Brandon Strausser was all-everything during his days at Gov. Mifflin.
He was a two-time Berks Linebacker of the Year and an All-State pick as a senior in 2020. He lined up next to Nick Singleton in the backfield and was a key cog in an offense that produced a staggering 54.5 points per game, by far a Berks record.
Along with Singleton and Cam’Ron Stewart he was a stalwart on the first Mifflin team to record a perfect regular season and the only one to win a District 3 championship.
Similar success didn’t come so quickly at the next level. He was redshirted as a freshman and saw mostly special teams duties the next two seasons at Kutztown University.
“Sometimes it doesn’t come right away,” said Golden Bears defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Eric Fargo. “Brandon went through some ups and downs, but instead of complaining about what he didn’t have he took advantage of what he did have.
“He took advantage of special teams; he took advantage of film sessions. Before he became a starter he was going out there 10-15 snaps a game and showing me that he’s gonna be able to do this.”
Strausser got his chance to start last season and made the most of it. When Brandon Hile was injured in Week 4 Strausser stepped in at Will Linebacker and Kutztown’s defense – ranked No. 1 in the Pennsylvania Conference in every major category – didn’t miss a beat.
“He just kept getting better and better (each week), just like he’s done in his career,” Fargo said. “He’s been getting better each and every year.”
Strausser returns as a starter this season, which kicks off Thursday at 7 against Assumption at Andre Reed Field. He’ll be joined in the starting linebacking corps by Eden Johnson, his former Mifflin teammate, and Hile. He’s one of just two redshirt seniors on the starting defensive squad.
Once again the Golden Bears are expected to excel; they’re the favorite to win the Eastern Conference and are expected to win a third straight Pennsylvania Conference championship, something few programs have achieved. They’ll open the season ranked No. 7 in the nation at the Division II level.
Strausser is thankful for the way things played out at Kutztown, even if it didn’t come easily.
“Freshmen, they come in and think they’re gonna play right away,” he said. “I’m actually grateful that I got to sit back and learn from the red-shirt juniors and seniors who were here at the time; I learned what to do and what not to do.
“I never lost hope; I never would. I’m a gritty person. I’ll work at anything, no matter what. I know I’m gonna take every opportunity I have.”
Strausser started the final seven games of a season that saw Kutztown finish 11-1, win division and conference championships, and reach the NCAA Tournament for the third time in his four seasons.
He ended up making 46 tackles, fourth on the team, to go with three sacks and a pair of interceptions. The highlight of his season came in a 24-0 Homecoming win over Shepherd when he made a team-high eight tackles and had a Pick-Six. He jumped a hitch route and took it back 15 yards, giving the Golden Bears a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.
“That really turned the game around for us,” said Kutztown head coach Jim Clements. “We controlled that game, but that really kick-started a lot of momentum.”
Strausser was named PSAC East Athlete of the Week following the win over Shepherd.
He had another interception the next week in Kutztown’s 49-17 division-clinching win over Millersville.
The 5-11, 225-pound Strausser always had the physical tools to play at this level but absorbing Kutztown’s defensive system because his biggest hurdle. That took time.
“The playbook’s the biggest thing,” he said. “I mean you can be the strongest, the fastest player, but if you don’t know the playbook you’re not gonna play. The coaches have to trust you. It took a couple springs to understand the playbook, but that’s where I’m at today.
“I played on a lot of special teams as sophomore, junior. I earned my rank and kept going up and up on the depth chart. That’s what you’ve gotta do in college football: it’s a grind, it’s a process. You’ve just gotta work through your goal.”
“It took him a while to figure it out mentally,” Clements said. “He’s getting more comfortable (in our scheme). He’s a kid that we count on, not only on defense but on special teams. He’s durable. He’s reliable. He’s always ready to go.”
“He’s unselfish,” said Fargo. “He’s not a me guy, he’s a team guy. He’s gonna run down for you on kicks. He’s gonna do whatever it takes in the defensive scheme to win.”
When he first arrived Strausser wasn’t sure Kutztown was the right fit for him. Five seasons later he has an entirely different perspective.
“As I stayed here I just loved it,” said Strausser, who will graduate with a degree in Business Administration. “Kutztown’s a winning program, that’s what I came here for. The PSAC is one of the top D-2 conferences in all America, and I wanted to be a part of that.
“The coaches here are amazing. Coach Clements reminded me of (Mifflin) Coach (Jeff) Lang (and of) ‘Old Vec’ (former Mifflin coach Mick Vecchio). That’s why I fell in love with it. We have that grit mentality here, that’s why I stayed.”
