Lawrence High quarterback Brad Strauss breaks around Free State linebacker Keith Loneker during the first half on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012 at Lawrence High.

Buried under so many other quarterbacks on the Northwest Missouri State depth chart that he would need a firefighter ladder to see the field, former Lawrence High first-team all-state selection Brad Strauss switched to safety in advance of his third year at the Div. II powerhouse.

The news didn’t sit right with me. I remember thinking there is no way an athlete blessed with such a natural feel for quarterback, such an accurate arm, such quick feet and such a creative football brain should end up on defense.

Strauss appeared in reserve at safety in five games for the Bearcats, who last month won their fifth national title. His most extensive playing time came against Lindenwood (where brother Cole has signed to play lacrosse), against which he played the entire fourth quarter and had four tackles.

Strauss said he enjoyed the school, the coaching staff and teammates, but the quarterback in him had unfinished business, so he decided to transfer and visited Baker University, Ottawa University and William Jewell College.

Strauss said in a telephone interview Sunday night that he had chosen William Jewell, an NCAA Div. II school in Liberty, Missouri. If he wins the starting quarterback job, many a football fan who watched him use his amazing instincts at work to fix broken plays and turn them into big gains will make the hourlong drive to watch him play the position he was born to play.

Strauss, who red-shirted his first year in college, will have two remaining years of eligibility beginning with the 2016 season.

“They didn’t promise me I’d be the starter walking in there,” said Strauss, two-time Sunflower League offensive player of the year. “And I wouldn’t want a school to tell me that. I wanted to go to a school that’s competitive. It’s going to be an open competition, and a lot of guys will compete.”

At 6-foot, 195 pounds, Strauss has packed on 20 pounds in the weight room since he played for LHS. He might have lost half a step and rates regaining it and then some as one of his short-term goals. He’s looking forward to running an offense again. He missed playing quarterback as much as many missed watching him play it.

“Just having the game in my control, being able to make plays, running around making plays,” Strauss said of what he missed most after switching to defense. “At defensive back, it’s a lot of reacting to what they’re doing. On offense, you have the ability to control the game, be more creative.”

Strauss wore No. 11 in high school, but since that already was taken, he requested No. 10. He will be reunited with one of his favorite high school targets, Drake Hofer, who ranked fifth on the squad with 177 receiving yards for Jewell (4-7) last season.

“It’ll be fun throwing to Drake again,” said Strauss, whose begins classes at William Jewel next week. “I’m looking forward to learning the offense and meshing with the receivers before spring ball starts.”

Strauss said the offense is similar to what he ran at LHS.

“Spread, zone read, West Coast, quick passing game,” Strauss said. “They really give the quarterback a lot of control out there. They call a run play and a pass play, you get to the line of scrimmage, and the quarterback makes the decision to run the ball or throw the ball. I really like that. I think that fits my style pretty well.”

Sounds as if it fits him perfectly. His football mind is even quicker than his feet. It’s good to see he’ll be exercising it again playing the position he never stopped playing in his heart and head.