Stromberg selected by Commanders in third round

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Ricky Stromberg was picked by the Washington Commanders in the third round (97th overall) of the NFL Draft on Friday night joining Drew Sanders, who was selected by the Denver Broncos earlier in the third round.

Stromberg is the first Arkansas center selected since Frank Ragnow was the first pick (20th overall) of the Detroit Lions in the 2018 Draft and first offensive lineman drafted since 2019 when New England took Hjalte Froholdt in the fourth round. The Commanders made Stromberg their first Arkansas pick since taking Kam Curl in the seventh round of the 2020 draft.

A staple of the Arkansas offensive line during his four seasons, Stromberg started his final 25 straight games with 44 overall starts during his career. His senior season capped an impressive career as he became the fourth Razorback to earn the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy – given annually to the league’s top offensive lineman – joining Shawn Andrews (2002, 2003), Jonathan Luigs (2007) and Sebastian Tretola (2015). Stromberg was named an honorable mention All-American by Pro Football Focus and picked up First-Team All-SEC status from the Associated Press, the league’s coaches, PFF and USA Today. He helped pave the way for an offense that gained 6,128 yards – second-most in school history – and running back Raheim Sanders to rush for 1,443 yards. Stromberg helped the Hogs’ running game eclipse 3,000 yards for the 10th time in school history, powered by nine games of 200+ yards on the ground. He picked up a pair of SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week accolades after helping Arkansas rush for 295 yards and gain 457 total yards in a win over South Carolina and a second for blocking for an offense that gained 503 total yards, including 335 rushing, in a victory vs. Ole Miss.

As a junior, Stromberg started all 13 games at center on his way to earning Second-Team All-SEC from the Associated Press and third-team honors from PFF and Phil Steele. He blocked for an offense that featured four players to gain 500+ rushing yards, a feat that had not happened at Arkansas since 1975. During the pandemic-shortened season of 2020, he played in nine games and started eight under first-year Head Coach Sam Pittman. Stromberg’s career started quickly in 2019 when he started his second career game at left guard as a true freshman. He started the final 11 games that season at guard before moving to center as a sophomore.

The NFL Draft continues Saturday with rounds 4-7 beginning at 11 a.m. on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.