When it comes to college, Anthony Strauder has got the best of both worlds.

Strauder, a 2003 Natchez High graduate, was selected to the third team All-Southeastern Conference team by the league’s coaches.

Strauder was one of only two Mississippi State offensive players selected to the team with running back Anthony Dixon being selected to the second team.

Quite an honor for an offensive lineman who played on struggling teams at Natchez High and then had to endure more losing football his first two years at Mississippi State.

But last year’s 8-5 season, including a 10-3 victory over Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl, and the fact that Strauder improved his game greatly, which was shown in him starting every game, led the SEC coaches to reward him with the All-SEC honor.

But as great as that honor is, perhaps it’s not the greatest one he’s received since he has been a football player at Mississippi State.

Strauder has also been selected to some other prestigious teams since he’s been in Starkville.

Strauder has made both the SEC Good Works team and All-Academic team while with the Bulldogs, two accomplishments that he doesn’t take lightly.

“I wanted to come here and not say that I didn’t leave here with my degree,” Strauder said. “That’s something that no one else will take away from me.”

Mississippi State offensive line coach, J.B. Grimes, said Strauder is in a very good situation.

“He’s got a chance to have an outstanding senior year, come out of here with two degrees and make a lot of money playing professional football,” Grimes said. “It doesn’t get any better than that.”

So often we hear bad things about public schools in Mississippi, as well as the Natchez Adams School District.

Poor grades and discipline are seen as problems in the public schools and that is true to a point.

But people like Strauder disprove the point that public schools are a hopeless place for our children.

Not only is Strauder going to possibly be drafted into the National Football League after this season, he is closing in on two degrees from Mississippi State and has repeatedly been honored for his academic prowess.

I can’t tell you how difficult it is to just complete one degree, let alone two.

I was thrilled to get my one degree in communications after four and a half years, and I didn’t have nearly the distractions that Strauder has on a daily basis.

Sure, I was in the marching band and worked for the student newspaper, but those pale in comparison to what football players have to do.

Whether its practice, lifting weights, watching film or team meetings, a football player has numerous things pulling him in several different directions.

It’s easy to be distracted from your class work when you’re constantly working to get better at football.

But Strauder has managed to find the right combination between great athlete and great student.

He has proven that anyone, no matter where you go to school, can be successful as long as you work hard and apply yourself.

And that’s a lesson that we should all learn.

Jeff Edwards is the sports editor for The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3632 or jeff.edwards@natchezdemocrat.com