Gregory Junior Bio
Gregory Junior II is an American professional football cornerback born on June 21, 1999, in Crossett, Arkansas. He played college football at Ouachita Baptist University, where he earned recognition as a First-team All-GAC selection in his senior season. In the 2022 NFL Draft, Junior was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round, becoming the first player in program history to be drafted into the NFL. He has since played for multiple organizations and continues to pursue a sustained role at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Gregory Junior II grew up in Crossett, Arkansas, a small community in the southern part of the state. He attended Crossett High School, where he developed as a football player and began attracting attention from college programs. His size and athletic profile, standing 6 feet tall and weighing around 203 pounds, made him an appealing prospect for defensive back coaches at the next level.
Coming out of high school, Junior chose to attend Ouachita Baptist University, a Division II program located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The decision allowed him to develop at his own pace while competing for meaningful playing time early in his college career. His hometown roots in Crossett remained a point of pride as he progressed through the college ranks.
Path to American Football
Junior joined the Ouachita Baptist Tigers and worked his way into a starting role in the secondary. During his senior season in 2021, he recorded 46 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and seven pass breakups, establishing himself as one of the most productive defensive backs in the Great American Conference. His performance that year earned him First-team All-GAC honors and drew the attention of NFL scouts despite the program’s Division II status.
Following the 2021 college season, Junior declared for the 2022 NFL Draft and went through the evaluation process as a small-school prospect. His combine measurements, testing numbers, and game tape convinced the Jacksonville Jaguars to select him in the sixth round. The selection carried historical weight, as Junior became the first Ouachita Baptist player ever drafted into the NFL.
Gregory Junior Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Junior was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and immediately entered the team’s developmental pipeline. He was waived on August 30, 2022, but signed to the practice squad the following day, keeping him within the organization. On December 19, 2022, the Jaguars promoted him to the active roster, marking his first official appearance on an NFL game-day roster.
In 2023, Junior began the season with the Jaguars and saw early action before suffering a hamstring injury in Week 1. He was placed on injured reserve on September 16, 2023, and missed a significant portion of the year. The Jaguars activated him on November 11, 2023, allowing him to return to the field for the latter part of the season.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2022–2024)
Junior’s time with the Jacksonville Jaguars spanned parts of three seasons and represented his first sustained opportunity in the league. After being promoted from the practice squad in late 2022, he continued to develop within the team’s defensive back rotation. His early career was shaped by the routine movement between the active roster and the practice squad, a common experience for late-round defensive backs adjusting to the professional game.
His release came on August 6, 2024, when the Jaguars waived him with an injury designation, ending his original tenure with the franchise that drafted him. Despite the departure, his selection in 2022 remained a notable milestone for Ouachita Baptist University and its football program.
Indianapolis Colts (2024)
On September 17, 2024, Junior signed with the Indianapolis Colts practice squad, joining a new organization in search of depth at cornerback. He spent several weeks with the team before being released on October 7, 2024. The short stint provided another opportunity to learn a new defensive system and continue building professional experience.
Houston Texans (2024–2025)
On October 14, 2024, Junior signed with the Houston Texans practice squad, adding veteran familiarity with practice-squad transitions. He remained with the Texans through the end of the season and signed a reserve/future contract on January 21, 2025, securing his place with the organization into the offseason.
On May 13, 2025, the Texans waived Junior, ending his second practice-squad tenure of the 2024 cycle. His time in Houston reflected the journeyman reality faced by many late-round defensive backs trying to establish a long-term NFL foothold.
Green Bay Packers (2025)
On May 21, 2025, Junior signed with the Green Bay Packers, joining a defensive back room that frequently rotates roster moves during the offseason. He participated in early offseason work with the team before being released on August 4, 2025, ahead of final roster cuts. The move gave him a brief window with another NFC organization.
Denver Broncos (2025)
On August 10, 2025, Junior was signed by the Denver Broncos, providing another opportunity late in the preseason calendar. Five days later, on August 15, 2025, he was waived by the Broncos with an injury designation, closing out his latest chapter. His release underscored the competitive nature of cornerback depth charts across the league.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant milestone of Junior’s career came on draft night in 2022, when he became the first Ouachita Baptist Tigers player ever selected in the NFL Draft. His First-team All-GAC recognition in 2021 also stands as a key collegiate achievement that helped shape his professional trajectory. The repeated movement between active rosters and practice squads reflects the perseverance required to remain in the league.
Gregory Junior Family
Family Background and Football Roots
Gregory Junior II was raised in Crossett, Arkansas, where he developed his early interest in football. Specific details about his parents and immediate family are not publicly documented, though his hometown roots remain a defining part of his background. His progression from a small Arkansas town to the NFL represents a notable journey for his family and community.
2025 Season Performance
Junior’s 2025 campaign has been defined by frequent movement across rosters as he searches for a stable landing spot. After signing a reserve/future contract with the Houston Texans in January 2025, he was waived in mid-May before quickly joining the Green Bay Packers. His release from Green Bay in early August led to a brief stint with the Denver Broncos that ended mid-month.
Despite the transitions, Junior continues to pursue an opportunity to contribute on an active NFL roster. His mix of special-teams experience, cornerback versatility, and small-school pedigree makes him a candidate for practice-squad or rotational roles. The outlook for the remainder of 2025 depends on finding a defensive system that matches his skill set and offers a clear path to game-day participation.