Joe Strickland - 2026 Football Roster
Jersey Number 44
Joe Strickland
- Class:
- Senior
- Position:
- DL
- Height:
- 6-4
- Weight:
- 290
- Prev School:
- Purdue
- Hometown:
- Indianapolis, Ind.
2025 (Jr.):
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
Liberty let me compete at the D1 level, grow in my faith, and push myself academically all at once, without compromising any of them. Finishing an Economics MBA while I still had eligibility sealed it.
Is there something about your life and upbringing you would consider unique?
Snowboarding has been a big part of my life. Growing up chasing that on top of playing football gave me a different kind of athletic background than most guys on the line, and it taught me balance, body control, and a comfort with risk that carries over.
Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
My mom. She has been my steadiest source of support and encouragement, and the way she shows up day in and day out no matter what has shaped how I carry myself.
What is your most memorable athletic moment/accomplishment?
Winning a state championship in high school. Everything we put in as a team came together in one moment, and sharing that with the guys I grew up playing with is something I will never forget.
Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports? (Names, relation to you, what/where they played)?
My dad (Vern Strickland) played college basketball at Auburn
Do you possess any special or unique talents, interests, or hobbies?
I used to be able to solve a Rubik’s cube in under a couple minutes, which is a random skill I picked up and never let go of till recently. Outside of that I ruck, smoke meat on my Traeger, and follow the markets closely.
- Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll member
- Saw playing time in all 12 games
- Finished the season with five tackles (1 solo, four assisted)
- PFF.com snap count: 160 (148 – defense; 12 – special team)
- Assisted tackles against James Madison and Old Dominion
- Five-yard sack against UTEP
- Also added a quarterback hurry at UTEP
- Two assisted tackles at Louisiana Tech
- Transferred to Liberty from Purdue
- Spent three years on the team at Purdue (2022-24)
- Two-time member of the Academic All-Big Ten team (2023 and 2024)
- Received his first game action against LSU in the Cirtus Bowl in 2022
- Also saw playing time against Indiana State in the 2024 season opener
- Graduated from Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis, Ind.
- Consensus 4-star defensive lineman
- Ranked in the ESPN 300 as the No. 227 prospect in the nation
- Also tabbed the fifth-best player in the state of Indiana by ESPN
- Named to the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State team as a junior and senior
- Recorded 70 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and three fumble recoveries as a senior to help lead his team to a state runner-up finish
- Three-time all-conference and all-county honoree, helping lead his team to a pair of league titles
- Registered 50 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a junior to earn MaxPreps All-Defense accolades
- Also landed on the MaxPreps All-Defense team after tallying 45 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks during his sophomore campaign
- Named MaxPreps Freshman All-American with 36 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and four sacks
- Also participated in basketball
- Son of Amy and Vern Strickland
- Father, Vern, played basketball at Auburn (1983-84 and 1985-86)
- Graduated with his bachelor's degree from Purdue in Industrial Engineering Technology
- Currently pursuing his MBA with a focus in Finance at Liberty
- Finance major
- Birthday is January 21
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
Liberty let me compete at the D1 level, grow in my faith, and push myself academically all at once, without compromising any of them. Finishing an Economics MBA while I still had eligibility sealed it.
Is there something about your life and upbringing you would consider unique?
Snowboarding has been a big part of my life. Growing up chasing that on top of playing football gave me a different kind of athletic background than most guys on the line, and it taught me balance, body control, and a comfort with risk that carries over.
Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
My mom. She has been my steadiest source of support and encouragement, and the way she shows up day in and day out no matter what has shaped how I carry myself.
What is your most memorable athletic moment/accomplishment?
Winning a state championship in high school. Everything we put in as a team came together in one moment, and sharing that with the guys I grew up playing with is something I will never forget.
Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports? (Names, relation to you, what/where they played)?
My dad (Vern Strickland) played college basketball at Auburn
Do you possess any special or unique talents, interests, or hobbies?
I used to be able to solve a Rubik’s cube in under a couple minutes, which is a random skill I picked up and never let go of till recently. Outside of that I ruck, smoke meat on my Traeger, and follow the markets closely.
Wednesday, October 21
Wednesday, October 21
Wednesday, October 21
Tuesday, October 20
