The fastest man in South Carolina comes to South Bend looking to make some noise in Notre Dame’s secondary. A key recruit as the Irish staff continues to restock the secondary with talent that can play in a man-heavy scheme, Troy Pride Jr. was a big recruiting win as the Irish staff swooped into SEC Country and left with one of the state’s finest.
As impressive off the field as on it, Pride checks a lot of boxes as he begins his college career. While there’s no pressure to play, it’ll be interesting to see how quickly he pushes for time.
TROY PRIDE JR.
5'11", 180 lbs.
Freshman, No. 18, CB
RECRUITING PROFILE
A four-star recruit, Pride was one of South Carolina’s top prospects, on the All-USA South Carolina All-State Team, a Blue-Grey All-American Bowl participant and the 2015 Region II-AAA Player of the Year.
A four-time state champ in Track & Field his senior year, Pride brings elite speed to South Bend. Turned down programs like South Carolina, Clemson, North Carolina, Ole Miss and Tennessee.
FUTURE POTENTIAL
South Carolina’s sprint champ certainly has one overwhelming trait, running a 10.55 to win the state championship in the 100-meter dash. That should translate to opportunities in the Irish secondary, though being an elite sprinter doesn’t always translate to the football field.
But Pride doesn’t have the football limitations Josh Atkinson had, another elite sprinter who just couldn’t translate that speed onto the football field. He’s gifted with advanced cover skills that should allow him to compete this fall. He’s a smooth athlete who still needs to fill out his frame, but Pride’s a football player, with a key role on back-to-back state championship teams.
CRYSTAL BALL
Pride might be too talented to redshirt, capable of competing in the two-deep if he gets a firm grasp on the system. If that’s the case, expect him to get some time covering kicks and running on special teams, a place he should see the field if he’s going to burn the year of eligibility.
Pride has the physical traits this staff looks for in a cover cornerback. He’s got pedigree and leadership as well, a competitive football player who earned rave reviews from area recruiter Autry Denson as well as position coach Todd Lyght.
Notre Dame’s secondary is filled with young defensive backs looking to jump the line. I’d be surprised if Pride wasn’t one of them.
2016’s Irish A-to-Z
Josh Adams
Josh Barajas
Alex Bars
Asmar Bilal
Hunter Bivin
Grant Blankenship
Jonathan Bonner
Ian Book
Parker Boudreaux
Miles Boykin
Justin Brent
Devin Butler
Jimmy Byrne
Daniel Cage
Chase Claypool
Nick Coleman
Te’von Coney
Shaun Crawford
Scott Daly
Micah Dew-Treadway
Liam Eichenberg
Jalen Elliott
Nicco Feritta
Tarean Folston
Mark Harrell
Daelin Hayes
Jay Hayes
Tristen Hoge
Corey Holmes
Torii Hunter Jr.
Alizé Jones
Jamir Jones
Jarron Jones
Jonathan Jones
Tony Jones Jr.
Khalid Kareem
DeShone Kizer
Julian Love
Tyler Luatua
Cole Luke
Greer Martini
Jacob Matuska
Mike McGlinchey
Colin McGovern
Deon McIntosh
Javon McKinley
Pete Mokwuqh
John Montelus
D.J. Morgan
Nyles Morgan
Sam Mustipher
Quenton Nelson
Tyler Newsome
Adetokunbo Ogundeji
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