Justin Strong

Position:
Running Back
Class:
Senior
Height:
6-0
Weight:
205
Hometown:
Fairview Heights, Ill.
High School:
Althoff Catholic
Major:
Sport Administration

2022 (SENIOR)

Played in 12 games and made 7 starts
Rushed 83 times for 355 yards (4.3 ave.) and 5 TDs
Caught 22 passes for 149 yards and 2 TDs
Had a season-high 14 carries for 128 yards at Murray State and took the opening handoff 80 yards for a TD

2022 (JUNIOR)

Played in 6 games and made 1 start (at Missouri State), missing the final 5 games due to injury
Rushed 40 times for 142 yards (3.6 ave) and 3 TD on the season
Added 10 catches for 48 yards on the year, including 3 receptions at Incarnate Word
Had a season-high 38 rushing yards versus North Dakota

2021 (SOPHOMORE)

Played in all 13 games and made 12 starts
Finished 2nd on the team in rushing yards (484) and led the team in rushing average (5.8)
Totaled 5 touchdowns (2 rushing TDs, 3 receiving TDs)
Caught 17 passes for 160 yards (9.4 avg) and had at least 1 catch in 10 games
Had a season-high 107 rushing yards on 9 carries vs. Youngstown State, including a 67-yard carry

2020 (COVID YEAR)

Played in all 10 games and made 2 starts (playoff games at Weber State and at South Dakota State)
Carried 80 times for 408 yards (5.1 avg) and 2 TDs
The team's third-leading receiver with 30 catches for 274 yards and 3 TDs
Also returned 11 kickoffs for a 20.2 avg
Had a season-high 16 carries for 159 yards and 2 TDs in the win over SE Louisiana, also adding 3 catches for 62 yards
Had a season-best 9 catches for 96 yards and a TD at Missouri State

2019 (FRESHMAN)

Played in all 12 games
Recorded 11 tackles
Second on the team with 7 special teams tackles

2018 (REDSHIRT)

Redshirted
Played in 3 games (Indiana State, Missouri State, Western Illinois)

HIGH SCHOOL

Illinois Coaches Association All-State honoree as a senior ... Finished his career with 460 tackles and 23 sacks ... Three-time All-Area, All-City, and All-South Seven Conference selection ... Althoff Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 ... Ran for 978 yards and 11 touchdowns on 76 carries ... Led 2017 team with six interceptions and recorded 43 tackles ... Honor Roll student who was involved in FCA, the Engineering Club, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.

PERSONAL

Younger brother of former SIU linebacker Bryson Strong ... Majoring in sport administration.