Pierre Strong Jr. Bio
Pierre Strong Jr. (born December 10, 1998) is an American professional football running back for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing about 180 centimeters tall and weighing roughly 94 kilograms, he plays a physical brand of football shaped by a strong college résumé at South Dakota State University.
After entering the NFL as a fourth-round pick in 2022, Strong spent time with the New England Patriots and the Cleveland Browns before joining the Green Bay Packers in 2025. He is recognized for his workhorse running style, pass-catching ability, and occasional usage as a passer out of the backfield.
Early Life and Background
Pierre Strong Jr. was born on December 10, 1998, in Little Rock, Arkansas. He grew up in the same city and attended John L. McClellan High School, where he quickly emerged as one of the most productive running backs in the state.
As a junior, Strong rushed for 2,248 yards and 30 touchdowns and helped McClellan reach the Class 5A state championship game. During his senior season, a year-ending injury on the final drive against Pulaski Academy limited him, but he still finished with 1,423 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. Across his final two high school seasons, he totaled 4,268 rushing yards and 57 touchdowns, a performance that earned him recognition as a Landers Award finalist.
Path to American Football
Despite his prolific high school production, Strong received scholarship offers from only a small number of NCAA Division I programs. He ultimately accepted an opportunity at South Dakota State University, making a verbal commitment in January 2017 and joining a program with a strong tradition at the FCS level.
Strong redshirted his true freshman year before breaking out as a redshirt freshman with 1,116 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, a performance that earned him Missouri Valley Football Conference Freshman of the Year honors. He followed that with a productive redshirt sophomore season of 1,018 yards and eight touchdowns on 143 carries, earning first-team All-MVFC recognition.
Pierre Strong Jr. Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Strong spent his developmental years at South Dakota State, where he built the foundation that would carry him to the NFL. Beyond his freshman and sophomore campaigns, his redshirt junior season was played in the spring of 2021 because the schedule was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and he still managed 707 rushing yards during that unusual year.
As a redshirt senior, Strong delivered his most complete season, rushing for 1,686 yards and 18 touchdowns while also catching 22 passes for 150 yards and completing all four of his pass attempts for 62 yards and four touchdowns. His senior year performance earned him first-team FCS All-American honors, capping a college career that included three consecutive first-team All-MVFC selections from 2019 through 2021.
New England Patriots Breakthrough (2022)
Strong declared for the 2022 NFL Draft and was selected by the New England Patriots with the 127th overall pick in the fourth round. He joined a backfield looking for young depth and immediately began working into the rotation during his rookie season.
On December 12, 2022, Strong scored his first career touchdown on a three-yard rushing run during a 27–13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. He finished his rookie year with ten carries for 100 yards and one rushing touchdown, a modest statistical line that reflected a limited but promising role within the Patriots offense.
Cleveland Browns Era (2023–2025)
On August 27, 2023, Strong was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for Tyrone Wheatley Jr., giving him a fresh opportunity in a new offensive system. He spent the next two seasons contributing as a depth running back and special teams player while competing for carries in a crowded backfield.
On August 26, 2025, Strong was waived by the Browns with an injury designation as part of the team’s final roster cuts, ending his time in Cleveland.
Green Bay Packers Era (2025–Present)
On September 8, 2025, Strong was signed to the Green Bay Packers practice squad, quickly landing with a new organization after his release from Cleveland. He was elevated to the active roster for Week 7 and again for Week 15 of the 2025 season, providing Green Bay with backfield depth during the regular season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Strong is a compact, powerful runner at 180 centimeters and 94 kilograms, with the frame to handle heavy workloads between the tackles. His college résumé showed a complete skill set, featuring the ability to rush, catch out of the backfield, and occasionally throw the ball on designed plays. He has also contributed on special teams, an area where his physicality has been valued throughout his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Strong’s most memorable early professional moment came on December 12, 2022, when he scored his first NFL touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals. His four-touchdown passing day as a redshirt senior at South Dakota State also stands out as one of the more unusual statistical lines of his career, showing a versatility rarely seen in running backs.
Pierre Strong Jr. Career Wins
Pierre Strong Jr. has accumulated his professional résumé across three NFL franchises since 2022, contributing as a rotational running back and special teams participant. His most visible statistical milestones remain his first NFL touchdown in 2022 and his elevations to active duty with the Green Bay Packers in 2025.
Green Bay Packers Highlights
Strong joined the Green Bay Packers via the practice squad on September 8, 2025, before being elevated to the active roster for Week 7 and Week 15 of the 2025 season. These appearances marked his first contributions as a Packer and gave him a fresh platform to compete for a consistent role.
Other Wins and Performances
Across his stops with the New England Patriots and the Cleveland Browns, Strong carved out a role as a depth back and special teams contributor, highlighted by his first career touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in December 2022.
Pierre Strong Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Pierre Strong Jr.’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, where his high school career at John L. McClellan laid the foundation for his future in football.
Personal Life
Strong maintains a public presence through his verified social media accounts, where he shares updates about his football career and life off the field.
2025 Season Performance
Pierre Strong Jr.’s 2025 season began with his release from the Cleveland Browns on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts. Just two weeks later, on September 8, 2025, he signed with the Green Bay Packers practice squad, giving him an immediate opportunity to continue his professional career.
He was elevated to the active roster for Week 7 and again for Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season, providing Green Bay with additional backfield depth during the regular season. Those appearances marked his first on-field contributions as a Packer.
Looking ahead, Strong will look to turn his practice squad elevations into a more permanent role in the Green Bay offense. His combination of size, pass-catching, and special teams value gives him a clear path toward carving out a larger role as the season continues.