The only NFL player in University of Indianapolis history, a special-teams grinder who worked his way from Division II to the Lions' roster.
Loren Strickland took an unconventional route to the NFL, starting his college career at Division II Indianapolis before transferring to Ball State for his final two seasons. He signed with Detroit as an undrafted free agent and has fought to stay on the roster ever since through hustle and special teams versatility.
Path to the league
Strickland redshirted his first year at Indianapolis, then developed into a starter and team captain for the Greyhounds before transferring to Ball State for his final two college seasons. He went unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft and signed with Detroit as an undrafted free agent.
Career highlights
At Indianapolis, Strickland earned first-team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors in 2019 after starting the final 10 games of the season, and he served as team captain in 2021 with 33 tackles and 10 pass breakups. He became the first University of Indianapolis alumnus to make an NFL roster in the modern era when he made Detroit's 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie in 2024.
2025 season recap
Strickland spent the 2025 season cycling between Detroit's active roster and practice squad, contributing primarily on special teams with limited defensive snaps. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions in January 2026 to continue his push for a permanent roster spot.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Loren Strickland
- Shaw Local: Jacobs grad Loren Strickland makes Detroit Lions' roster as undrafted free agent
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Defense
2 games played▶Defense · career
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | lions | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Safety
- Group
- defense
- College
- Ball State
- Hometown
- Carpentersville, IL, USA
- Age
- 26
- Status
- active
