Dontae Strickland: South Brunswick Football Standout Returns to Make a Difference Beyond the Game

South Brunswick native and former Syracuse running back earns a place in his hometown high school's Athletics Hall of Fame, celebrating a career built on perseverance, leadership and giving back.

For Dontae Strickland, football has always been about more than yards, touchdowns and victories. It has also been about discipline, perseverance, family and the responsibility to help others believe in themselves.

That philosophy makes his recent induction into the South Brunswick High School Athletics Hall of Fame especially meaningful. Strickland, a 2015 graduate of South Brunswick High School, was among the individual standouts recognized in the school's Class of 2026. The induction ceremony took place September 25 during halftime of the Vikings' home football game against Monroe Township.

Strickland's journey from South Brunswick to Syracuse University and an opportunity with the Arizona Cardinals reflects his accomplishments as an athlete. But his commitment to mentorship and serving as a positive role model offers another measure of his success.

A Record-Setting Career in South Brunswick

Strickland established himself as one of the most dynamic football players in South Brunswick High School history. His combination of speed, versatility and playmaking ability made him a threat on offense and special teams, while he also contributed on defense.

According to the school's Hall of Fame announcement reported by Patch, Strickland accumulated 4,507 career all-purpose yards during his four seasons with the Vikings. He rushed for 2,564 yards and 35 touchdowns, caught 30 passes for 664 yards and four touchdowns, and added 1,264 return yards and five touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 112 tackles and intercepted seven passes, returning four of those interceptions for touchdowns. His 48 career touchdowns tied the school's all-time record with Vince Davidson, a member of the Class of 2006.

His accomplishments earned him significant recognition during his senior year. In 2014, he was named the Greater Middlesex Conference Player of the Year and received All-State and All-Middlesex County honors. He helped lead South Brunswick to an 11-1 record and a state championship game appearance, finishing his high school career among the program's most accomplished offensive players.

Taking His Talent to Syracuse

Strickland continued his football career at Syracuse University, where he played running back for four seasons from 2015 through 2018.

Over 47 games, including 27 starts, he rushed for 1,717 yards and 15 touchdowns on 432 carries. He also caught 63 passes for 505 yards and four touchdowns. His 63 receptions ranked third all-time among Syracuse running backs at the conclusion of the 2018 season.

His senior year was particularly productive. Strickland rushed for 588 yards and six touchdowns in 2018, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, according to the Syracuse Athletics roster and career biography. He also served as an offensive captain, reflecting the leadership he brought to the team.

Strickland's college career included more than athletic accomplishments. In May 2019, he earned a bachelor's degree in human development from Syracuse. He became the first person in his family to graduate from college, a milestone that carried special significance for him and his family.

An Opportunity With the Arizona Cardinals

After going undrafted in 2019, Strickland received an invitation to try out for the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL team's rookie minicamp. The opportunity came at a memorable moment: the minicamp coincided with his college graduation weekend.

He chose to pursue his NFL dream, traveling to Arizona rather than attending his graduation ceremony on its scheduled date. The Cardinals subsequently signed him to their 90-man roster on May 13, 2019, after his tryout.

In an interview published by the Cardinals, Strickland described his determination to demonstrate his value in every aspect of the game, including running, receiving, blocking and special teams.

The signing represented an important achievement for a player who had worked his way from high school football in South Brunswick to the collegiate level and then earned an opportunity to compete in the NFL. Although an NFL roster signing is not the same as appearing in a regular-season game, it marked a significant step in his professional football journey.

Leadership That Extends Beyond Football

For Strickland, the lessons learned through sports are meant to carry into everyday life. He believes in leading by example, being a positive role model and helping young people develop confidence in their own abilities.

Mentorship is particularly important to him because he recognizes that not every child has the kind of strong family support system he experienced growing up. He remains connected to the family that supported him throughout his journey and understands how much encouragement, stability and belief in a young person's potential can matter.

That perspective informs his desire to help students recognize their own strengths and possibilities. By encouraging young people to believe in themselves, set goals and keep working through obstacles, he hopes to offer them some of the same support that helped shape his life.

His background also gives his message particular resonance. In a 2019 interview with the Arizona Cardinals, Strickland recalled that he, his parents and four siblings had spent a considerable amount of time living in a Best Western hotel in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, several years earlier. His family's experience and his eventual achievement of a college degree underscore the perseverance behind his success.

His story is a reminder that young people's circumstances do not have to determine their futures—and that having someone who believes in them can make a difference.

A Hall of Fame Legacy

South Brunswick's recognition of Strickland celebrates a remarkable athletic career, from his record-setting high school performances to his accomplishments at Syracuse and his opportunity with the Arizona Cardinals.

But his legacy has the potential to extend well beyond the football field. The qualities that helped him succeed as an athlete—determination, accountability, teamwork and leadership—are also qualities he hopes to encourage in the next generation.

For the South Brunswick community, his induction is an opportunity to celebrate not only a hometown football standout, but also someone who recognizes the importance of using his experiences to encourage others.

His journey demonstrates what can happen when talent is matched with hard work, family support and the willingness to keep pursuing a goal. Through his commitment to mentorship and positive role modeling, Strickland is helping carry those lessons forward, one young person at a time.