Nishad Strother Talks Opportunity, Recovering From Injury

Oregon’s offensive line is dealing with some injuries in fall camp. With that being the case, former East Carolina offensive lineman and second-year Duck Nishad Strother is preparing to hear his number called with players like Matthew Bedford and Dave Iuli dinged up.

Strother met with reporters in Eugene following Tuesday’s practice to discuss the opportunity he has and his recovery from a shoulder injury he suffered last year. Below you’ll find some of his key quotes, as well as some analysis.

Question: Where were you mentally a year ago and how is it different now?

Strother: “Yeah I was in a pretty tough spot last year dealing with the shoulder injury and kind of regressing a little bit from all the progress that I had made. I was in a tough spot mentally honestly, but I had some good guys around me and I’m happy to be back and healthy this year. So we’ll see what happens.”

Question: When the circumstances are flipped and you have this opportunity how has the last week been since Matt (Bedford) gets hurt to have this situation in front of you where you’re vying for—?

Strother: “Yeah you hate to see a guy get hurt, especially Matt. He’s been a good guy for our room and all that. Hate to see him go down but it’s next man up mentality always. So hope he comes back soon enough but it’s next man up for now.”

Question: You feel physically back to normal?

Strother: “Yeah I do, I feel back to normal. The rehab was a long process in the beginning, the AC was something I had never dealt with before, it was kind of different, grade three so it was pretty significant, so dealing with that when it first happened was kind of difficult, but it’s back to normal now for the most part.”

Question: Does it take much to get confidence back in an injury like that?

Strother: “Yeah it did honestly. It took me a while to throw a punch again. ‘Cause you don’t want to reaggravate it, but you have to put yourself back out there at some point. Just kind of throw yourself back into the fire and hope everything—trust your rehab, trust your trainers and everything will be alright.”

Question: Was there ever an “aha” moment where you’re like ‘I’m back’?

Strother: “Yeah a little bit. During spring ball I was out there throwing my hands around a little bit and felt like I was getting back to my old self. So it was good to feel.”

Question: What’s the most impressive thing you’ve seen this camp so far? Just out of anybody on the field?

Strother: “I’m impressed with a lot of the young guys. A lot of the freshmen we brought in, these guys are really good players. I’m impressed with that class, the young guys we brought in.”

Question: What’s it been like against some of these new interior D-linemen including Jamaree (Caldwell) and Derrick (Harmon)

Strother: “Oh man. They’re really good players. I love going against them, they’re gonna make us great. Battles every day. Little smack talkin’ here and there, but those are really great players and I think they’re gonna be great for us.”

Question: How would you describe the competition in the trenches this fall?

Strother: “It’s insane. Every day we’re going at it, we’re talking to each other. But we’re definitely making each other better. They have a great group, we have a great group, so we’re going at it every day.”

Question: Have you hit the point yet where you’re just ready to hit somebody else?

Strother: “Absolutely. We’re ready to get out there we’re chomping at the bit. Just a few more days, I think it’s 10 now, but we’ll be out there soon enough.”

Torres’ Take

I’ll be honest I probably haven’t discussed Strother as much as I should have this offseason. He appeared in five games last season as he battled injury for most of the year, but it sounds like he’s ready for his shot now.

His comments on facing the new faces along the defensive line were exciting to here. The iron sharpens iron mentality definitely applies there and it’s pretty special to think that Oregon’s defensive line will probably be better this year than it was a season ago.

You hear a lot about players with a chip on their shoulder and you have to imagine Strother definitely has one and is ready to prove he why the staff pursued him in the transfer portal.