EXCLUSIVE: Chandler Strong details commitment to North Texas

via @Chandler.Strong/Instagram

After spending three years and over 2,000 snaps as Georgia Southern’s starting center, Chandler Strong announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal just before the new year arrived.

“I have built relationships that I’ll never forget from coaches to teammates,” Strong said while looking back on his time as an Eagle. “I’ll miss the good people in Statesboro. It was an absolute great time, but I had to make a decision for me and my family.”

After establishing himself as a constant on the Eagles’ offensive line, Strong drew eyes from a number of Group of Six programs. However, after a visit to Denton, it was clear that North Texas was where he wanted to be.

Strong singled out his conversation’s with the Mean Green’s new coaching staff as the highlight of the visit, as the two sides spent a considerable amount of time simply discussing the team’s playbook and offensive philosophy.

“The culture that North Texas is building felt real,” Strong said. “They knew what the old staff did, but we are here now. The staff had a real connection and the people they were bringing in wanted to win.”

Upon his arrival in Denton, Strong reunited with Jarae Thurmond — Georgia Southern’s former Director of Player and Recruiting Relations. Thurmond recently joined the Mean Green as the program’s Assistant General Manager and Director of Scouting under new head coach Neal Brown.