Mannheim American High School (MAHS), a US Department of Defense Dependent High School, and played linebacker for the Mannheim Bison, the school's football team.

The summer before Strahan's senior year of high school, his father sent him to live with his uncle Art in Houston so he could attend Westbury High School. Strahan played one season of football, which was enough for him to get a scholarship offer from Texas Southern University.