Troy Pride Jr. Bio
Troy Pride Jr. (born January 19, 1998) is an American professional football cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Standing 180 centimeters tall and weighing 88 kilograms, Pride has built a journeyman professional resume across multiple franchises since entering the league.
Early Life and Background
Troy Pride Jr. was born on January 19, 1998, in Greer, South Carolina, United States. He grew up in Greer and attended Greer High School, where he emerged as a multi-dimensional athlete on both sides of the ball. As a senior, Pride caught 41 passes for 848 yards and 13 touchdowns, rushed for 197 yards and three touchdowns, returned three punts for touchdowns, and intercepted three passes on defense with one returned for a touchdown, showcasing the speed and playmaking instincts that would later define his career.
His senior résumé attracted attention from several major college football programs across the Southeast and beyond. Pride originally committed to play college football at Virginia Tech, but he de-committed following the retirement of longtime Hokies head coach Frank Beamer. He ultimately chose Notre Dame over scholarship offers from North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Clemson, signaling an early willingness to chart his own path away from the regional recruiting footprint that had shaped his recruitment.
Path to American Football
Pride’s path to professional football began with his move to South Bend, Indiana, where he enrolled at the University of Notre Dame. The transition from a high-school star in South Carolina to a starting-caliber cornerback in a Power Five program required a steep development curve, and Pride answered that challenge with consistent improvement across four collegiate seasons. His senior year at Notre Dame brought individual recognition when he was named All-Independent by Pro Football Focus after making 37 tackles with an interception and five passes defended, while holding quarterbacks to a 50.9 percent completion rate on passes thrown into his coverage.
Beyond football, Pride also competed as a sprinter for the Notre Dame track team. He qualified for the 60-meter dash final at the 2018 Atlantic Coast Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship, an experience that further sharpened the straight-line speed that translates to coverage ability at the next level. He finished his collegiate career with 121 tackles, 18 passes broken up, and four interceptions, along with one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 45 games played, a balanced statistical profile that positioned him as a Day 3 draft prospect.
Troy Pride Jr. Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Pride was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round with the 113th overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft, becoming one of Notre Dame’s most notable defensive products from that cycle. He made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, in the season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, starting the game and recording seven total tackles in a 34–30 loss. He finished his rookie season with 41 tackles and two pass deflections, a productive first-year output that suggested long-term promise in the Panthers’ secondary.
His second season in Carolina, however, was disrupted by injury. On August 17, 2021, Pride was placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury during the preseason, sidelining him for the entire 2021 campaign. On May 16, 2022, Pride was waived by the Panthers after failing his physical, effectively ending his tenure in Carolina and beginning a stretch of practice-squad and short-term deals across the league.
New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders (2023)
Pride signed a reserve/future contract with the New Orleans Saints on January 11, 2023, in an effort to reset his career with a new organization. He spent the offseason and training camp with New Orleans before being waived on August 29, 2023. The release came as part of late-preseason roster trimming, and Pride quickly found another opportunity, signing with the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad on September 14, 2023. His time in Las Vegas was brief, however, as he was released on December 20, 2023.
Houston Texans Era (2023–2024)
On December 27, 2023, Pride was signed to the practice squad of the Houston Texans, joining a contender late in the regular season. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 22, 2024, securing a longer-term role with the organization. Pride was waived on August 27, 2024, but he was later re-signed to the practice squad, a sequence that reflected the team’s appreciation of his veteran experience and special-teams value. On October 24, he was again released from the practice squad to make room for defensive end Rashad Weaver.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2024–2025)
On December 4, 2024, Pride was signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad, giving him a late-season landing spot with another playoff-caliber roster. He signed a reserve/future contract with Dallas on January 6, 2025, locking in a chance to compete for a roster spot the following summer. On August 25, Pride was waived by the Cowboys, concluding his short stint in Dallas and once again sending him onto the open market.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2025–Present)
On October 7, 2025, Pride was signed to the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts, his sixth NFL organization since being drafted. He was released on November 18 before being re-signed to the practice squad on December 9, 2025, illustrating the constant churn of veteran depth players on practice squads around the league. Pride remains with the Colts organization as a depth cornerback and special-teams contributor heading into the close of the 2025 campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the field, Pride is best known for his straight-line speed, a trait he sharpened as a sprinter on the Notre Dame track team and that translates directly to mirroring wide receivers in man coverage. He is also a willing and reliable contributor on special teams, a quality that has helped him remain employable across multiple practice squads throughout his professional career. His compact frame, listed at 180 centimeters and 88 kilograms, allows him to compete against both outside receivers and slot targets, while his football intelligence, sharpened by four years in Notre Dame’s defensive scheme, helps him read route combinations at a high level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Pride’s signature moment came on September 13, 2020, when he started opposite the Las Vegas Raiders in his NFL debut and posted seven tackles, a strong opening statement for a Day 3 rookie. His fourth-round selection by Carolina in 2020 and his subsequent All-Independent recognition at Notre Dame both stand as the highest-profile achievements of his career to date. Across his professional journey, Pride has been a model of perseverance, having been signed and released by six different organizations while continuing to carve out a role in the league.
Troy Pride Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Troy Pride Jr.’s immediate family, including parents and any extended athletic lineage, is not widely documented in available sources. He grew up in Greer, South Carolina, in a community that has produced several professional athletes, and his development as a multi-sport star at Greer High School suggests a strong local support system, though specific family members have not been publicly identified in verified sources.
Personal Life
Details about Pride’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, and children, are not publicly confirmed in available sources. He maintains an active presence on social media, including an Instagram account under the handle @troypride18, where he shares glimpses of his training and professional journey. Off the field, Pride is known for his focus on track-and-field training, a discipline that has complemented his football development and helped extend his career in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
Troy Pride Jr.’s 2025 season has been defined by movement between organizations as he continues his role as a veteran depth piece. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Dallas Cowboys in January 2025 but was waived on August 25, ending his time in Dallas before the regular season began. On October 7, 2025, he joined the Indianapolis Colts practice squad, was released on November 18, and was re-signed on December 9, illustrating the constant churn of practice-squad rosters late in the year.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Pride has contributed primarily on special teams and as a depth cornerback, roles that have become his calling card in the league. His experience across multiple defensive schemes in Carolina, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Houston, and Dallas has made him a versatile reserve who can be plugged into various packages when needed. The Colts, who entered the 2025 season with playoff aspirations, have used Pride as a reliable practice-squad body who can be elevated to the active roster if injuries strike the secondary.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025 and into 2026, Pride’s primary goal is to secure a more stable role, whether in Indianapolis or with another organization, and to contribute on special teams in high-leverage situations. His track record of perseverance and his proven track speed suggest he will continue to find opportunities in the NFL, and his familiarity with multiple defensive systems makes him a valuable late-season addition for any contender. As the Colts push toward the postseason, Pride remains a steady veteran presence in the meeting room and on the practice field.