Strickland attended Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco, California.

As a senior at Riordan, Strickland was a standout All-League running back.

Strickland's father, Donald, is a retired photographer for the NBC affiliate, KRON-4 in the Bay Area.

Strickland was a key part in the Buffaloes' run to a Big 12 Conference Championship in 2001.

[3] An unrestricted free agent in the 2009 offseason, Strickland signed with the New York Jets on March 25.