Troy Pride Jr. Bio
Troy Pride Jr. (born January 19, 1998) is an American professional football cornerback in 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. After stints with several teams, Pride joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2025.
Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 195 pounds, Pride has built his career on speed, coverage, and special teams versatility. He is known for a hard-working, journeyman path that has included practice squad promotions, injuries, and roster moves across multiple organizations.
Early Life and Background
Troy Pride Jr. was born on January 19, 1998, in Greer, South Carolina, where he grew up and attended Greer High School. As a senior, he was a multi-purpose playmaker on both sides of the ball, catching 41 passes for 848 yards and 13 touchdowns, rushing for 197 yards and three touchdowns, and returning three punts for touchdowns. On defense, he intercepted three passes, returning one for a touchdown, showcasing the ball skills and athleticism that would later define his career.
Coming out of high school, Pride was a sought-after recruit. He originally committed to Virginia Tech, but he de-committed following the retirement of head coach Frank Beamer. He then chose Notre Dame over several other programs, including North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Clemson. His decision to play for the Fighting Irish set the stage for his development as a defensive back at a national level.
Path to American Football
Pride’s path to the NFL started on the fields of Greer, where his high school production earned him offers from major college programs. At Notre Dame, he worked his way up gradually, appearing in eight games with three starts as a true freshman and posting 12 tackles and a fumble recovery. Each season added responsibility, and he steadily grew into a full-time starting role by his junior year.
His development included off-field athletic training as well. Pride was also a sprinter on the Notre Dame track team, reaching the 60-meter dash final at the 2018 Atlantic Coast Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship. The speed work complemented his coverage skills and gave him the kind of acceleration teams look for in cornerbacks. By the end of his senior season, he had earned All-Independent recognition from Pro Football Focus, validating his decision to enter the 2020 NFL Draft.
Troy Pride Jr. Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
During his four seasons at Notre Dame, Pride steadily built a reputation as a reliable defensive back. He played in 45 total games, recording 121 tackles, 18 passes broken up, and four interceptions, along with one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. As a sophomore, he posted 22 tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception, and two passes broken up, providing a clear sign of progress.
His junior campaign marked a step forward, as he made 47 tackles and finished second on the team with 10 passes defended and two interceptions. In his senior year, he added 37 tackles, an interception, and five passes defended, holding quarterbacks to a 50.9 percent completion rate on throws into his coverage. Those numbers, combined with his track speed, made him an intriguing Day 3 prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Carolina Panthers (2020–2021)
Pride was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round with the 113th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. 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, an encouraging start for a young cornerback.
His second season was disrupted by injury. On January 2, 2021, Pride was placed on injured reserve, and on August 17, 2021, he returned to injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in the preseason. On May 16, 2022, he was waived by the Panthers after failing his physical, ending his first NFL chapter.
New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders (2023)
Pride signed a reserve/future contract with the New Orleans Saints on January 11, 2023, looking to reboot his career. He was waived on August 29, 2023, during roster cutdowns. Shortly after, on September 14, 2023, he was signed to the practice squad of the Las Vegas Raiders, where he continued to refine his game and stay ready for a call-up.
His time in Las Vegas lasted until December 20, 2023, when he was released from the practice squad. Although he did not appear in regular-season games for either team, Pride remained on NFL radars as a depth cornerback with starting experience.
Houston Texans (2023–2024)
On December 27, 2023, Pride signed with the Houston Texans practice squad, finding another opportunity to stay in the league. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 22, 2024, securing a spot in the organization for the offseason. The Texans invested in his veteran presence and coverage ability heading into training camp.
Pride was waived on August 27, 2024, but later re-signed to the practice squad. On October 24, he was released again to make room for defensive end Rashad Weaver. Despite the back-and-forth, his time in Houston reflected his persistence and value as a practice-squad contributor.
Dallas Cowboys (2024–2025)
On December 4, 2024, Pride was signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad, joining a contender in need of secondary depth. He signed a reserve/future contract with Dallas on January 6, 2025, locking in his spot for the following offseason. The move gave him a clear shot at competing for a roster position in 2025.
On August 25, 2025, Pride was waived by the Cowboys as part of final roster cuts. Even so, his tenure in Dallas demonstrated continued trust from coaching staffs around the league and kept his career moving forward.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2025)
On October 7, 2025, Pride was signed to the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts, marking his latest NFL stop. He was released on November 18, but on December 9, he was re-signed to the practice squad, signaling the team’s continued interest in his services. His role with the Colts centers on providing experienced depth in the secondary and on special teams.
Through the 2025 season, Pride’s career NFL totals stand at 45 total tackles and three pass deflections. While those numbers reflect a reserve role, they also represent durability and longevity for a player who has navigated injuries, roster churn, and constant movement between practice squads and active rosters.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Pride’s career came on September 13, 2020, when he started for the Carolina Panthers in his NFL debut against the Las Vegas Raiders and recorded seven tackles. Reaching that starting role as a rookie fourth-round pick validated his path from Greer High School to Notre Dame to the professional level. His continued movement across six organizations also stands as a milestone of perseverance in a league where roster turnover is constant.
Troy Pride Jr. Family
Personal Life
Troy Pride Jr. is identified publicly as the son figure indicated by the “Jr.” suffix in his name, which signals a family connection tied to his father’s name. Beyond that detail, limited verified information is available about his immediate family members. He is known to come from Greer, South Carolina, where he developed into one of the state’s most versatile high school athletes.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been another chapter of resilience for Pride, who split time between the Dallas Cowboys and the Indianapolis Colts practice squad. After being waived by Dallas on August 25, he was signed by Indianapolis on October 7, released on November 18, and re-signed on December 9. That pattern reflects his value as a reliable, ready-to-play depth option.
Statistically, his 2025 contributions have come primarily in a practice capacity rather than extended regular-season action. As of the most recent reporting, his career NFL totals include 45 tackles and three pass deflections, numbers shaped largely by his 2020 rookie season with Carolina. His role with the Colts focuses on preparation, mentorship of younger defensive backs, and readiness to step in when called upon.
Looking ahead, Pride’s outlook depends on staying healthy and capitalizing on any opportunity to be elevated to the active roster. His track record of bouncing between teams suggests he has the mindset and work ethic to extend his NFL career. For a player who has consistently refused to give up on his professional dream, the remainder of the 2025 season offers another chance to contribute.