Strauser commits to Purdue football

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WLFI) - Head Coach Danny Hope and Purdue football received a verbal commitment Monday from Champaign, Illinois high school senior-to-be John Strauser.

Strauser, a 6'4", 240-pound defensive lineman who plays his high school football at St. Thomas More High School in Champaign, chose the Boilermakers over Pittsburgh. Ironically, the Panthers first-year head coach is Paul Chryst, Strauser's uncle.

"I just had a gut feeling about Purdue. And what they have going on over there in West Lafayette," Strauser said. "I didn't want to hold them (Purdue) out any longer and I wanted to be a Boilermaker so I made it official."

Strauser, a Class of 2013 recruit, initially projects in college as a defensive end but could eventually move to linebacker, defensive tackle, and possibly tight end during his time with the Boilermakers.

"The more and more I talked about it I'm like there's no point to wait," Strauser added. "I feel set in this."

Per NCAA rules, Hope is not allowed on Strauser until National Letter of Intent Day in early February 2013.