Bryce Sterk
DE/OLB – Montana State
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Bryce Sterk: I am 6’4, weighed in at 266 at the pro day and 4.69 40 time.
Alex Khvatov: Where were you training for the NFL Draft?
Bryce Sterk: At Landow Performance in Denver, Colorado.
Alex Khvatov: You had a Mock Pro Day recently. How did you perform?
Bryce Sterk: A former NFL scout watched and timed me. I did positional work with an ex-NFL DL Harald Hasselbach. My vert was 34.5. I didn’t do that well on the broad jump, I got a 9’3. I ran a 4.69 forty. My shuttle was a 4.47. I slipped on the turn. I ran a 4.28 during the week prior to the pro day. I got a 7.07 in the three-cone.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your overall experience at the East/West Shrine Game.
Bryce Sterk: It was pretty cool. I really enjoyed it. It was a grind, but I definitely had fun. I did well in the interviews. I was able to perform in the one on one’s. I got extra exposure at an all-star game.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Bryce Sterk: I went to Lynden High School in Washington. I couple of offers.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Washington?
Bryce Sterk: I committed to the Huskies. I was there for three years. I redshirted the first year and didn’t play a single snap my last year there.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you transfer to Montana State?
Bryce Sterk: I went there because the DL coach who recruited me at Washington got a head coaching job at Montana State.
Alex Khvatov: Tell me about your career at Montana State.
Bryce Sterk: I started the first season while I was there. I enrolled in the spring. I started an OLB to the boundary. Senior year, I made the transition to DL. It was a smooth transition. My junior year, we made to playoffs. It was our first appearance since 2012, and we advanced to the second round. Senior year, we made it to the semifinals of the playoffs for the first time in 35 years. We lost to North Dakota State who won the Championship. I started for two years. As a junior year, I had 8.5 sacks and led the conference with 17.5 TFL’s for loss. As a senior, I had 15 sacks and 19 TFL’s. I made second team all-conference and second team all-American.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Bryce Sterk: My motor and running to the ball. I am very good when I transition from speed to power. I pride myself on it.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Bryce Sterk: During training, I worked with a DL coach and did a lot of bag drills to loosen up the hips. I worked on the all-around pass rush.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Bryce Sterk: Team wise, it was beating our rival the University of Montana. We were down 22-7 in the third quarter at their stadium. We won 29-25 and had a goal-line defensive stand. They had a fumble at the one-yard line.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for an DL?
Bryce Sterk: Toughness. In the trenches, you will face double teams. You have to be able to thrive in it.
Alex Khvatov: Do you see yourself as a 4-3 DE or as a 3-4 OLB at the next level?
Bryce Sterk: 4-3 teams see me as a DE. 3-4 teams see me as an OLB. I am a versatile player. It just depends on the scheme.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Bryce Sterk: Growing up, I was a Denver Broncos fan. My dad is from Denver. I watched them during Super Bowl 50. In college, I didn’t have time to follow them.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Bryce Sterk: My favorite pass rushers are Aaron Donald, J.J. Watt and Von Miller.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Bryce Sterk: LB Troy Andersen is an All-American who played three different positions. He is a freak athlete. Boundary OLB Amandre Williams. Lewis Kidd is a solid OL.
Alex Khvatov: Who was the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Bryce Sterk: My former teammates at Washington, Kaleb McGary and Trey Adams.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Bryce Sterk: At Washington, it was all about life lessons. At Montana State, it was all about comeback wins. We fell behind, but we always found a way to win. We were able to claw back in the game.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Bryce Sterk: I was a big outdoors guy. Most of the time, it is all about football. I like to play Xbox.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Bryce Sterk: I have so many ideas, but I haven’t given it much thought. My focus has been on football. Maybe coaching or something else. My major is in sociology.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Bryce Sterk: Hardworking, driven, tough, fun and social.
