SAN ANTONIO — Former UTSA defensive lineman Kevin Strong Jr. has agreed to terms on a free agent deal with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League and he will report to the team's rookie mini-camp in early May.
"This is a day I will remember forever because not everyone gets the opportunity to play at the next level," Strong said. "I'm really excited about signing with the Lions and I'm grateful to the organization for this opportunity. I can't wait to go to Detroit and get to work."
Strong finished his UTSA career with 106 tackles (51 solos), three pass breakups, a pair of forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a school-record two blocked kicks. A native of Cleveland, Texas, he ranks second on the program's career list with 26.5 tackles for loss, which includes 7.5 sacks, after playing in 47 career contests, which is tied for second in school history.
"I am really excited for Kevin and his family that he has been presented with the chance to play in the NFL," UTSA head coach Frank Wilson said. "A lot of players dream of this moment and he has put in a lot of hard work to make that dream become reality. It's very rewarding to see a young man take this next step and I have all the confidence in the world that he will make the best of this opportunity."
Strong was named honorable mention All-Conference USA last season after he tallied 24 tackles (12 solos), 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack, three quarterback pressures, one pass breakup and a safety.
As a junior, he garnered second-team all-conference accolades after registering 27 tackles (12 solos), seven tackles for loss, three sacks and four quarterback hurries, while starting all 11 games for a defense that led C-USA in seven statistical categories and ranked in the top 10 nationally in five.
Strong posted 24 tackles (12 solos), 6.5 TFLs, one sack, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 2016, helping lead the Roadrunners to their first bowl game, the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. He registered both of his blocks that season, as he blocked a field goal at Louisiana Tech and an extra point at New Mexico in the bowl contest.
After redshirting in 2014, Strong registered 31 tackles (12 solos), 6.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks and a pair of pass breakups in 2015. He had five tackles, including two behind the line of scrimmage, in his collegiate debut at No. 22 Arizona in the season opener.
