Minnesota defensive lineman Danny Striggow was so outstanding at this year’s Hula Bowl that he received a late call-up to the Senior Bowl. Scrambling to Mobile, Alabama, Striggow did what he does best. He took full advantage of the opportunity, hitting the ground running on the Senior Bowl practice field as if he’d been there all week long.
Striggow recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network. Striggow discussed his unique experience during the college all-star circuit, his positional versatility, which teams he met with at both events, why he loves watching Aidan Hutchinson, and more.
JM: You got to partake in this year's Senior Bowl as a late addition after participating and impressing in the Hula Bowl. What was that process and experience like for you?
Danny Striggow: That was an awesome experience. I knew after the Hula Bowl that there was a chance I could get called up to the East-West Shrine or Senior Bowl. It happened so late in the game that I thought that chance had come and gone.
It happened on Wednesday. I think the Senior Bowl was already heading into its third day. I was already thinking my next opportunity would be at Pro Day. That’s when the call came in from the Senior Bowl. Next thing I knew, I was in Mobile, Alabama (laughs).
It was an awesome experience. I loved being at the Hula Bowl. The competition there was great. It was a terrific showcase. Being able to attend the Senior Bowl as well, there was also great competition in attendance. It gave me great exposure to NFL coaches and scouts. It was a fun college all-star showcase for me.
JM: What do you think you proved to scouts and general managers in attendance at both events? Your performance at the Senior Bowl was really impressive considering how late of an add to the roster you were.
Danny Striggow: Just showing up for starters, I think it showed my willingness to compete. I’ve always dreamed about playing in the NFL. I want to play football as long as I can. The will to show up on such short notice, the guys in attendance had a little bit of a head start on me.
It proved that I wanted to be there. I’m extremely dedicated. I made plays when I got onto the field. I was playing 30 minutes after I hit the field. Going out there and making a quick impact can translate to the next level.
JM: You probably met with a bunch of teams between the Hula and Senior Bowl. Which of those meetings do you best remember a few weeks removed from the process? Did you meet with any teams more than once?
Danny Striggow: I did meet with a few teams more than once. The events were set up a little differently. The Hula Bowl was more relaxed. You’d get a text or a call and head to an unplanned meeting. You’d spend three or four hours of your afternoon just dashing around to different meetings.
At the Senior Bowl, you met with 16 teams apiece for about 10-15 minutes for two nights until you met all 32 teams. It was a super rigid schedule with a three-hour block. As a late addition, I was only there for the second round of meetings.
I ended up meeting with a few teams more than once. I had a couple of great meetings at the Hula Bowl with the Chargers and Steelers. Those stood out to me. We talked about football, but they felt more like normal conversations. We talked about past experiences. We talked a little wrestling (laughs). It felt natural. I loved my talk with the Chargers.
The Chargers had me draw up plays on the white board. I love doing that. I like highlighting my football IQ. My meeting with the Chicago Bears, the first thing they had me do was draw up a play. It was fun to ask them questions about their scheme.
When I got to the Senior Bowl, those second team meetings were more about football. They were already familiar with my background. I spoke with some of the same scouts twice.
I met with roughly 30 teams in total. I met with the Browns, Seahawks, Vikings, Dolphins at the Hula Bowl. It was cool to talk with teams who have players on their roster I played with at Minnesota. It was fun to talk to the Seahawks about Boye Mafe and how he’s made the transition. The Vikings are around our facility a lot, so they’d seen games and practices at Minnesota.
JM: There’s a lot of interest in you and it’s easy to see why. You had 11 sacks over these past two seasons. How would you describe your pass rush arsenal? What are your go-to moves and counters?
Danny Striggow: I think of myself initially as a power guy. I love being able to set the tone right away. Physicality is my calling card as a player. I work effort and physicality into my pass-rush arsenal. Speed and counter moves usually come off of power and effort.
I like letting offensive linemen know I’m there early. You’re gonna have to deal with power. That ends up expanding my arsenal as the game progresses forward. I like going two-to-one long arm. I like working the edge at times. You win off the edge and get the tackle thinking. That’s when you hit the inside move.
JM: I love that answer. Do you feel like you're a three-down lineman at the next level? Talk to me about stopping the run on early downs.
Danny Striggow: I can see myself impacting the game as a pass rusher and run stopper. Minnesota gave me the tools to play on the ball and off the ball, in a two and three-point stance. They put a lot on my plate at that “RUSH END” position.
Sometimes I was off the ball on first, second, and third down, dropping into coverage. Other times I was playing as a six or five [technique] or as a wide-nine. I had to set the edge on tackles and tight ends. Even on third down, I have experience playing the 3-tech or nose tackle.
Whatever a team is looking for, there is film out there of me doing it well, doing it the right way.
JM: Teams love that versatility. Are there any defensive linemen you'd compare yourself to at the next level? Anyone you enjoy studying and learning from?
Danny Striggow: I really like watching Aidan Hutchinson. It’s not necessarily because of a specific move he does. I think he’s great at what he does of course, but I love watching his effort. I see my effort in his tape. You never turn on an Aidan Hutchinson play and say hey, he took that play off.
Even when he wins in the run game, it’s not always because he’s so physically gifted. It’s because he plays so hard with 100% effort all the time. That’s the kind of effort I’ve put on tape. That’s the kind of player I want to be at the next level.
JM: That’s the right way to play the game. We've appreciated your time today. This has been an outstanding conversation. Why should a team use one of their draft picks on Danny Striggow?
Danny Striggow: You know exactly what you’re getting. I play with 100% effort all the time. I love the game and always want to get better. I can improve my details and fundamentals. I have the qualities you can’t teach, and that’s passion and effort.
You know what you’re getting the second you throw my film on.