Quantum Quarterback: Physics prodigy Jack Strand is the NFL’s most intriguing rookie

Jack Strand possesses a particular set of skills – and a particular set of interests.  

Between the gridiron lines, Strand was a surgeon of sorts, carving up opposing defenses en route to the most successful football career in Minnesota State Moorhead history. In fact, a career so successful it led the former Dragon to the professional ranks. Strand was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in April following the 2026 NFL Draft.  

However, Strand’s true passion lies outside the lines. Strand, a native of Bloomer, Wis., had been excited about space travel for as long as he could remember. He watched “Apollo 13” with his dad at a young age and enjoyed getting space shuttles and rockets as birthday gifts. 

In his freshman year of high school, Strand took a class that introduced him to engineering. “We built bridges, 3-D printed CO2 cars, and made a poster about a job that you want to be in when you grow up,” he said. The classwork piqued Strand’s interest in making engineering a career.  

Throughout football recruitment, Strand remained overlooked. Bloomer, a town of just under 4,000 people, ran an option style offense. Despite not attempting many throws in his prep days, Strand caught one critical set of eyes: former MSUM assistant coach Kevin Murphy. The Dragons were ready to take a shot on Jack Strand, and he was ready for Minnesota State Moorhead. His major of choice? Engineering physics with the hope of it being a precursor to graduate aerospace engineering. 

As a student-athlete, Strand accumulated an astounding number of accolades. By the end of his football career, he held every major passing record in MSUM history as well as four career conference records. Strand also earned seven All-America certificates, four all-conference selections and three nominations for the Harlon Hill Trophy, NCAA Division II football’s highest athletic honor. He placed fourth in national voting for the Hill Trophy as a senior, and his 13,161 career passing yards were the 10th most in the history of NCAA Division II.  

Strand succeeded on the field despite an often-challenging class load in engineering physics. Some semesters, Strand would have two or three classes each day, along with practice, homework, and watching films. While the balance of college life can be daunting for student-athletes, Strand relied on mentors on and off the field to help fuel his success.  

On the gridiron, Strand often looked to head football coach Steve Laqua and quarterbacks coach Justin Czech. Laqua, Czech, and Strand bonded quickly, sharing their strong foundations of faith and football. Over the years, MSUM physics professor Dr. Anada Shastri became a mentor for Strand as well. In their advising meetings, Shastri probed past academics, asking how Strand was juggling his schedule miles away from home. 

“Your mind’s just always on your sport,” Strand said. Yet, much like his athletic accolades, Strand stacked up numerous academic honors. He was a three-time conference All-Academic and a two-time CSC Academic All-American® . As a senior, Strand was named CSC’s Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year, becoming the first MSUM student-athlete to ever earn the honor. Strand bolstered a 3.87 cumulative GPA at Moorhead. 

Perhaps Strand’s highest honor came from the National Football Foundation in 2025. Thanks to his efforts both on and off the field, Strand was named one of 15 finalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy®, the nation’s premier scholar-athlete award. As part of being named a finalist, Strand earned an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. The honor also came with a $5,000 grant which Strand could give to the university. In December, Strand surprised Dr. Shastri with a check presentation in his office in Hagen Hall, giving the $5,000 grant to the MSUM physics department. 

“This is a thank you for everything you and all the physics professors have done for me,” Stand said as he handed the check to Shastri. “I’m very thankful and blessed for it.” 

“You know, I’m still trying to convince him to go into physics!” Shastri quipped.  

The remainder of Jack Strand’s story remains to be written, but the narrative he penned at MSUM has already left an immeasurable impact. With his particular set of skills and interests, not only does the NFL await, but the entire universe does as well.