An American football running back with the New England Patriots in the NFL, Pierre Strong Jr. (born December 10, 1998) (NFL). Southwestern State Jackrabbits were his collegiate team.
John L. McClellan High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, was Strong’s high school, where he grew up. McClellan proceeded to the Class 5A state championship game with 2,248 yards and 30 touchdowns from him as a junior.
AWARDS AND HONORS
Stats Perform was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award (2020-21, 2021)
Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Association All-America First Team (2020-21, 2021)
FCS All-America Team via HERO Sports (2019, 2020-21, 2021)
An All-America First Team as selected by the AP (2021)
Third-Team All-America Selection by the Associated Press (2019)
All-Athlon Sports FCS All-Americans (2021)
In the FCS All-America First Team, Stats Perform (2021)
FCS All-America 2nd Team Stats (2020-21)
First-team All-America honors for Phil Steele (2020-21, 2021)
All-American Third Team: Phil Steele (2019)
FCS All-America selections from Walter Camp (2021)
The HERO Sports FCS Freshman All-America First-Team (2018)
AFC Freshman All-America Second Team: Phil Steele (2018)
First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference Football (2019, 2020-21, 2021)
All-Freshman Team in the MVFC (2018)
Newcomer-only MVFC squad (2018)
This week’s MVFC offensive player of the week is (Feb. 19, 2021; Sept. 25, 2021; Nov. 6, 2021)
Inductee of the Week at MVFC (Nov. 10, 2018; Nov. 17, 2018)
Strong was the Patriots’ second selection in the fourth round.
In 2021, Pierre Strong Jr. had numerous significant hits.
Speed is a must for the Patriots.
Pierre Strong Jr. was New England’s second fourth-round draught pick, after the selection of the NFL’s fastest receiver in the second round.
We’ve compiled a list of four things to know about a new Patriots running back from South Dakota State University.
He’s very agile and nimble.
In March, during the NFL Scouting Combine, Strong showed off his burst of speed. His 40-yard sprint time of 4.37 ranked 16th overall and first among 2022 running back prospects.
At the combine, Strong’s speed wasn’t the only thing that stood out. Running backs ranked sixth and third, respectively, in the vertical leap and broad jump, for him (124 inches).
The 5.11-inch, 207-pound physique and 9.34 relative athletic score earned by Strong at the combine place him sixth among running back prospects.
The Jackrabbits relied on him to make huge plays.
South Dakota State’s celebrations were a result of Strong’s quickness. There were at least 10 of Strong’s 40 career running touchdowns of at least 50 yards in length. With 1,673 yards on 240 runs in 2021, Strong averaged seven yards per carrying, making him the best running back in the league.
Only a handful of FBS or FCS running backs could match Strong’s feats in 2021 in terms of big-play ability on the ground. Second-round draught selection Kenneth Walker had the most 15-plus yard runs with 47, and he had the second-most 10-plus yard runs with 47. (30).
In terms of receiving, he hasn’t had much of a chance.
The replacement of Damien Harris is more probable than the replacement of James White.
There wasn’t much of an impact on the receiving end for Strong in 2021. In 15 games, he hauled in 22 receptions for 150 yards. Although New England can work to improve on Strong’s newfound abilities, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein observes that he has “Tough hands.”
However, Strong is eager to improve in that area.
“I’ll do everything New England asks of me,’ he said. When asked about his emphasis, Strong said, “The coach wants me to concentrate on that.”
Keeping this in mind, Strong might experience a “redshirt year” as Harris had in 2019 and play restricted minutes behind Harris, White, and Ramondre Stevenson as a rookie, much like Harris did in his first year.
Even if the Patriots can’t afford Harris’ salary for the 2022 season, Strong is expected to take Harris’ spot in 2023.
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However, he is capable of throwing the ball.
Many of the Patriots’ draught picks had previous experience as quarterbacks. Strong is the newest member of this elite group of players.
In 2021, Strong completed all four of his throws for a total of 62 yards and a score. Five additional throws were also completed by him in the preceding two seasons, totaling 146 yards and two touchdowns.
The Patriots haven’t been hesitant about using Strong on trick plays in the past, and he looks amenable to the idea.
Strong said, “I love having the ball in my hands.” “When I was a kid, I was a quarterback, and it’s still a part of me.” I’m still able to toss it.”
