Troy Pride Jr. Bio
Troy Pride Jr. is an American professional football cornerback who currently plays for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. Born on January 19, 1998, in Greer, South Carolina, Pride played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2016 to 2019. He entered the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick in 2020, selected 113th overall by the Carolina Panthers. Throughout his professional career, Pride has suited up for multiple NFL franchises, developing into a versatile defensive back known for his speed and coverage abilities.
Early Life and Background
Troy Pride Jr. grew up in Greer, South Carolina, where he attended Greer High School. During his senior year, Pride showcased his multi-dimensional athletic ability by catching 41 passes for 848 yards and 13 touchdowns while also rushing for 197 yards and three touchdowns. On special teams, he returned three punts for touchdowns and recorded three interceptions on defense, returning one for a touchdown. His exceptional high school performance attracted attention from major college programs across the country.
Pride originally committed to play football at Virginia Tech but de-committed following the retirement of head coach Frank Beamer. He ultimately chose Notre Dame over offers from North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Clemson. Beyond football, Pride was also a sprinter for the Notre Dame track team, competing in the 60-meter dash at the 2018 Atlantic Coast Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship.
Troy Pride Jr. Career
Notre Dame College Career (2016–2019)
Pride began his college career at Notre Dame as a true freshman, appearing in eight games with three starts. He recorded 12 tackles and recovered a fumble during his inaugural season. As a sophomore, Pride improved to 22 tackles with one tackle for loss, one interception, and two passes broken up. His junior year saw further development as he made 47 tackles and finished second on the team with 10 passes defended and two interceptions.
In his senior season, Pride earned All-Independent honors from Pro Football Focus. He compiled 37 tackles with one interception and five passes defended while limiting opposing quarterbacks to just a 50.9% completion rate on passes thrown into his coverage. Over his four-year collegiate career, Pride finished with 121 tackles, 18 passes broken up, and four interceptions with one forced fumble and two fumbles recovered across 45 games played.
Carolina Panthers Era (2020–2021)
Pride was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 113th overall pick. He made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, in the season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders. Pride started the game and recorded seven total tackles in the 34-30 loss. His rookie season showed promise before it was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on January 2, 2021. He finished his first professional season with 41 tackles and two pass deflections.
Pride’s second season with the Panthers was plagued by injury. On August 17, 2021, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury during the preseason. On May 16, 2022, Pride was waived by the Panthers after failing his physical, ending his tenure with the organization.
Journeyman Years (2023–2024)
Pride signed with the New Orleans Saints on January 11, 2023, joining the team on a reserve/future contract. He was waived by the Saints on August 29, 2023, during final roster cuts. Pride then signed with the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad on September 14, 2023, but was released on December 20. He quickly found a new opportunity, joining the Houston Texans practice squad on December 27, 2023.
Pride signed a reserve/future contract with Houston on January 22, 2024, securing his spot for the following season. However, his time with the Texans included multiple roster moves. He was waived on August 27, 2024, re-signed to the practice squad, and then released again on October 24 to make room for Rashad Weaver. On December 4, 2024, Pride joined the Dallas Cowboys practice squad and signed another reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025. He was waived by the Cowboys on August 25, 2025.
Indianapolis Colts (2025–Present)
On October 7, 2025, Pride signed with the Indianapolis Colts practice squad. He was released on November 18 but was re-signed to the Colts practice squad on December 9, 2025. This move reunited Pride with an organization where he hopes to establish himself as a reliable depth player in the defensive backfield.
Playing Style and Strengths
Pride is a cornerback known for his speed, a quality he developed through his track and field background at Notre Dame. His collegiate performance demonstrated his ability to match up against opposing receivers, as evidenced by his senior-season statistics holding quarterbacks to a 50.9% completion rate. Pride’s experience playing multiple seasons and his familiarity with various defensive systems have helped him adapt to different team environments throughout his career.
Notable Career Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Pride has recorded 45 total tackles and 3 pass deflections in his NFL career. His most productive statistical season came as a rookie with the Carolina Panthers in 2020, when he started the season opener and accumulated 41 tackles. Pride’s career has been characterized by his ability to contribute on special teams and provide depth in defensive back rotations.
Troy Pride Jr. Family
Family Background
Details about Troy Pride Jr.’s family background are not extensively documented in public sources. He grew up in Greer, South Carolina, where he attended Greer High School. His athletic family roots include his brother who also pursued football at the collegiate level.
Personal Life
Pride continues to maintain a connection to his home state of South Carolina while pursuing his professional football career. Beyond football, he has demonstrated versatility as a multi-sport athlete, having competed in track and field at the collegiate level. His social media presence, under the handle troypride18 on Instagram, reflects his ongoing commitment to his football career and training regimen.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a new chapter for Pride as he joined the Indianapolis Colts organization. After being waived by the Dallas Cowboys in August, Pride signed with the Colts practice squad in October. His initial stint with the team was brief, as he was released in November before being re-signed to the practice squad later that same month. This pattern reflects the challenges that journeyman players face in maintaining roster spots throughout an NFL season.
Pride’s primary goal during the 2025 season was to demonstrate his reliability and consistency in practice while waiting for an opportunity to contribute on gameday. The Colts’ defensive coaching staff evaluated his skill set throughout the season, particularly his speed and coverage abilities developed during his time at Notre Dame and refined through his years of NFL experience.