Loren Strickland Bio
Loren Strickland is an American professional football safety for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 31, 2000, in Carpentersville, Illinois, he played college football for the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds and the Ball State Cardinals before signing with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Strickland made NFL history by becoming the first alumnus of UIndy to make an NFL team in the modern era. His journey from a multi-sport high school athlete to professional football player exemplifies his versatility and dedication to the sport.
Early Life and Background
Strickland was born on May 31, 2000, in Carpentersville, Illinois, where he grew up attending Jacobs High School in Algonquin. During his high school career, he demonstrated exceptional athletic versatility by competing in three sports: track and field, football, and wrestling. His dedication earned him an impressive 10 varsity letters across these disciplines, showcasing a well-rounded athletic ability that would serve him well in his football career.
On the football field at Jacobs High School, Strickland proved his value by playing multiple positions, including running back, linebacker, and safety. His performance at each position earned him recognition as a first-team all-conference and all-area selection. This diverse skill set and positional flexibility would later become a defining characteristic of his playing style. He graduated from Jacobs High School in 2018 and committed to continue his football career at the NCAA Division II level with the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds.
Path to Professional Football
Strickland began his collegiate career at the University of Indianapolis (UIndy) in 2018, redshirting during his freshman season. He earned a starting job as a redshirt freshman in 2019, quickly establishing himself as a defensive playmaker. He started the final 10 games of the 2019 season and delivered an outstanding performance, recording 46 tackles and four pass breakups. His exceptional play earned him first-team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) honors, marking his first major collegiate achievement.
During the COVID-19-shortened 2020-21 season, Strickland appeared in one game while continuing to develop his skills. He elevated to a leadership role in 2021, serving as a team captain for the Greyhounds. That season, he recorded 33 tackles and led the team with 10 pass breakups, demonstrating his ability to make plays in the secondary. Strickland completed his studies at UIndy, earning a finance degree in December 2021.
Seeking new opportunities, Strickland transferred to Ball State University for his final two seasons of college football eligibility. In 2022, he played 12 games as a backup for the Ball State Cardinals, recording 19 tackles. As a senior in 2023, he appeared in all 12 games with five starts, finishing with 31 tackles and two tackles-for-loss, showcasing his continued development as a collegiate defender.
Loren Strickland Career
Professional Career (2024–Present)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Strickland signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent. His journey to the NFL was particularly notable because he became the first alumnus of UIndy to make an NFL team in the modern era, representing a significant milestone for the Division II program. He reported to training camp with the Lions and competed for a roster spot among the team’s defensive backs.
Strickland’s persistence paid off when he made the Lions’ initial 53-man roster for the 2024 season, a remarkable achievement for a player who went undrafted. On December 4, 2024, he was waived but was immediately re-signed to the team’s practice squad, allowing him to continue developing within the organization. He signed a reserve/future contract with Detroit on January 20, 2025, securing his place on the roster heading into the 2025 season.
Throughout the 2025 season, Strickland continued his journeyman path within the Lions organization. He was waived on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts but was re-signed to the practice squad shortly thereafter. On October 1, 2025, he was signed to the active roster, providing depth to the Lions’ secondary. However, he was waived again on October 11 and re-signed to the practice squad five days later. Strickland signed another reserve/future contract with Detroit on January 5, 2026, demonstrating the organization’s continued belief in his potential as a professional football player.
Playing Style and Strengths
Strickland’s collegiate career at multiple positions highlights his versatility and football intelligence. His experience playing safety, linebacker, and running back in high school translated to strong instincts and positional awareness at the collegiate level. As a safety, he demonstrated reliable tackling ability and excellent coverage skills, evidenced by his consistent pass breakup numbers throughout his career. His experience as a team captain at UIndy suggests strong leadership qualities and the ability to mentor younger players, attributes that NFL teams value in defensive backs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Strickland’s most significant career milestone remains his entry into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Detroit Lions. Making an NFL roster from the Division II level is a rare achievement, and his status as the first UIndy alumnus to do so in the modern era underscores the difficulty of his path. His first-team All-GLVC selection in 2019 remains his most notable collegiate honor, establishing him as one of the top defensive players in the conference during his redshirt freshman season.
Loren Strickland Career Statistics
Throughout his professional career with the Detroit Lions and collegiate career at UIndy and Ball State, Strickland has accumulated meaningful playing time and production at every level. His collegiate career spanned six seasons across two programs, during which he demonstrated consistent improvement and versatility.
College Career Highlights
At the University of Indianapolis, Strickland appeared in 13 games across three seasons (not counting his redshirt year), recording 79 total tackles, four pass breakups as a freshman, and 10 pass breakups as a junior captain. His progression from redshirt freshman starter to team captain demonstrated his ability to develop and lead within a program. His first-team All-GLVC honor in 2019 remains his most prestigious collegiate accolade, validating his potential as a future professional defender.
At Ball State, Strickland appeared in 24 games over two seasons, recording 50 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, and demonstrating his ability to contribute at the FBS level. His transition from a featured role at the Division II level to a backup role at the FBS level required adjustment, but he maintained his production and remained a reliable contributor for the Cardinals defense.
Professional Career Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Strickland has appeared in limited regular-season games for the Detroit Lions. His career NFL statistics include 2 total tackles. While his professional statistics remain limited due to his developmental role on the practice squad and occasional roster transactions, his continued presence within the Lions organization reflects the team’s confidence in his long-term potential as a safety in the NFL.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Total Tackles | Pass Breakups |
|---|---|---|---|
| UIndy (2018–2021) | 13+ | 79 | 14 |
| Ball State (2022–2023) | 24 | 50 | 0 |
| NFL (2024–2025) | Limited | 2 | 0 |
Loren Strickland Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information regarding Loren Strickland’s family background, parents, or any sports lineage is not widely available. While his athletic achievements across multiple sports suggest a strong family support system, specific details about his parents’ names or athletic backgrounds have not been publicly disclosed. His success as a multi-sport athlete at Jacobs High School indicates a commitment to athletics that likely developed within his family environment, though concrete details remain private.
Personal Life
Strickland maintains a public presence on social media, where he shares updates about his football career and training. He holds a finance degree from the University of Indianapolis, which he completed in December 2021, demonstrating his commitment to academic achievement alongside his athletic pursuits. Beyond his professional football career, details about his personal relationships, marital status, or children are not publicly available. His focus appears to remain on continuing to develop as a professional football player and earning a permanent role within the Detroit Lions organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition and opportunity for Strickland within the Detroit Lions organization. After signing a reserve/future contract in January 2025, he began the season on the practice squad following his waiver and re-signing during the 2024 season finale. His tenure with the Lions continued to feature roster movements that are common for players on the fringe of NFL rosters, particularly those at the safety position competing for limited spots on the 53-man roster.
Strickland’s elevation to the active roster on October 1, 2025, provided him with an opportunity to contribute during the regular season. His subsequent waiver and return to the practice squad on October 11 highlighted the competitive nature of NFL roster construction and the challenges that undrafted players face in establishing themselves at the professional level. The Lions’ decision to sign him to another reserve/future contract in January 2026 indicates continued organizational investment in his development.
Looking ahead, Strickland’s path with the Detroit Lions reflects a common trajectory for undrafted free agents seeking to establish themselves in the NFL. His ability to remain within the organization through multiple roster transactions demonstrates both his resilience and the Lions’ belief in his potential. As he enters the 2026 season, Strickland will look to build on his professional experience and compete for a more permanent role in the Lions’ secondary, potentially earning increased playing time through his performance in training camp and the preseason.