Who is Jack Strand?
Jack Strand is a quarterback from Bloomer, Wisconsin, who played college football at Minnesota State Moorhead.
Listed around 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Strand spent four seasons with the Dragons from 2022 through 2025. He became the starting quarterback during his freshman season and developed into one of the most productive passers in NCAA Division II football.
Strand’s combination of size, arm talent and experience made him an intriguing professional prospect despite playing outside the FBS level.
Jack Strand College Stats
Strand’s college numbers show why the Falcons were interested in giving him an opportunity.
Across 42 games at Minnesota State Moorhead, he completed 1,247 of 1,953 passes, good for a completion rate of about 64%. He finished with 13,161 passing yards and 126 passing touchdowns.
His career production ranked him 10th all-time in NCAA Division II passing yardage. He also finished as Minnesota State Moorhead’s career leader in passing completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns.
2025 season
Strand’s final college season was his best.
In 2025, he threw for 3,546 yards and 42 touchdowns, while accounting for 47 total touchdowns. He also recorded 3,834 yards of total offense. The 42 touchdown passes established a new Minnesota State Moorhead single-season record.
He led the NSIC in passing and total yardage and produced seven games with more than 300 passing yards. On November 1 against Bemidji State, Strand tied the NSIC single-game record with seven touchdown passes.
His 2025 honors included:
- NSIC Offensive Player of the Year
- D2CCA First Team All-American
- AFCA Second Team All-American
- Don Hansen Second Team All-American
- D2Football.com First Team All-American
- D2CCA Super Region 3 Offensive Player of the Year
- Harlon Hill Trophy finalist
- CSC Academic All-American
He became the first player in Minnesota State Moorhead history to win the NSIC Offensive Player of the Year award more than once.
Jack Strand NFL Draft
Strand was not selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Instead, he entered the league as an undrafted free agent. Following the draft, the Atlanta Falcons signed Strand to compete for a roster spot at quarterback.
Going undrafted does not necessarily mean a quarterback lacks NFL potential. For Strand, his Division II background meant he had to prove that his production could translate against professional competition.
The Falcons gave him that opportunity.
Jack Strand and the Falcons
Strand joined Atlanta’s quarterback group in 2026 and immediately found himself in an unusual situation during training camp.
With Tua Tagovailoa dealing with a minor injury and Michael Penix Jr. not initially cleared for full 11-on-11 work, Strand received significant first-team practice reps. The Falcons’ official website reported that he handled the majority of quarterback reps during one early training-camp practice.
That experience helped accelerate his transition from Division II football to the NFL.
As the preseason progressed, Strand emerged in the competition for Atlanta’s third quarterback position alongside veteran Cooper Rush.
Jack Strand Highlights
One of the biggest reasons Strand has attracted attention is his ability to create plays with both his arm and legs.
His college highlights feature a quarterback who was comfortable operating from the pocket but could also extend plays and pick up yards when opportunities opened.
His 2025 season provided plenty of memorable moments. Strand threw seven touchdown passes against Bemidji State, tying the NSIC single-game record. He also posted seven games with at least 300 passing yards.
His early NFL preseason performances have added another chapter to those highlights.
Falcons vs. Broncos
In Atlanta’s first preseason game of 2026, Strand completed 6 of 12 passes for 50 yards and also scored a rushing touchdown.
While the passing numbers were modest, the rushing score showed another part of his game.
Falcons vs. Colts
Strand’s second preseason appearance was much more impressive.
Against Indianapolis on August 22, 2026, he completed 12 of 17 passes for 212 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed nine times for 22 yards and scored another touchdown as Atlanta defeated the Colts 34-6.
That performance significantly strengthened his case in Atlanta’s quarterback competition.
Why Jack Strand Is Interesting
Strand’s story stands out because of the distance he has traveled to reach the NFL.
He was not a highly recruited FBS quarterback coming out of high school. Instead, he developed at Minnesota State Moorhead and eventually became one of the most productive quarterbacks in Division II.
His college career demonstrated three important traits:
Production: Strand finished with more than 13,000 passing yards and 126 touchdown passes.
Experience: He started 42 games during his college career.
Development: His statistical growth and awards suggest he consistently improved throughout his time at Minnesota State Moorhead.
Jack Strand College Career
Strand’s four-year college career began in 2022, when he took over the starting job during his freshman season.
He made his biggest statistical jump in 2023. That year, he set Minnesota State Moorhead single-season records for passing yards, completions, attempts and touchdown passes, while earning his first NSIC Offensive Player of the Year award.
In 2024, Strand continued to produce at a high level, throwing for 3,421 yards and leading the NSIC in passing yardage. By the end of the season, he held the major passing records in Minnesota State Moorhead program history.
Then came his record-breaking 2025 campaign.
The combination of his production and leadership helped Minnesota State Moorhead finish 8-3, the program’s best NCAA Division II-era record.
Does Jack Strand Have an NFL Future?
Strand’s preseason performances suggest he deserves serious consideration.
The biggest challenge is translating his Division II success to the NFL. The speed of the game, defensive complexity and quality of opposing players are all significantly higher.
Still, Strand has already shown that he can handle pressure. His second preseason game against Indianapolis was particularly encouraging, with 212 passing yards, a touchdown through the air and another rushing score.
The Falcons’ quarterback depth chart will ultimately determine whether Strand makes the 53-man roster, lands on the practice squad or earns another opportunity elsewhere.
Jack Strand’s NFL Journey
Strand’s journey from Minnesota State Moorhead to Atlanta is a reminder that NFL opportunities can come from unexpected places.
He finished college as a decorated Division II quarterback, entered the 2026 NFL Draft as an undrafted player and then earned a chance with the Falcons.
Now, his preseason performances are giving him an opportunity to prove that his college success was not simply the result of playing at a lower level.
For Atlanta, Strand represents an intriguing developmental quarterback. For Strand, every preseason snap is another chance to demonstrate that he belongs in the NFL.
FAQs
What are Jack Strand’s college stats?
Jack Strand finished his Minnesota State Moorhead career with 1,247 completions on 1,953 attempts, 13,161 passing yards and 126 passing touchdowns in 42 games. He also rushed for 55 yards and nine touchdowns during his college career.
Was Jack Strand drafted in the NFL Draft?
No. Jack Strand went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and subsequently signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent.
What college did Jack Strand attend?
Strand played college football at Minnesota State Moorhead, an NCAA Division II program in Minnesota.
What were Jack Strand’s 2025 stats?
In 2025, Strand threw for 3,546 yards and 42 touchdowns while accounting for 47 total touchdowns. He also produced 3,834 total yards.
What team does Jack Strand play for?
Jack Strand is a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. He wears No. 18 and entered the 2026 season as a rookie.
How did Jack Strand perform against the Colts?
In the Falcons’ 34-6 preseason victory over the Colts on August 22, 2026, Strand completed 12 of 17 passes for 212 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for a touchdown.
Conclusion
Jack Strand’s college career was one of the most productive in Minnesota State Moorhead history. His 13,161 passing yards and 126 touchdown passes helped establish him as one of NCAA Division II’s standout quarterbacks.
Although he went undrafted in 2026, Strand earned an opportunity with the Atlanta Falcons. His strong preseason showing against Indianapolis has made his NFL journey even more interesting.
For now, the biggest question is whether Strand can turn his impressive college résumé and promising preseason performances into a permanent place on an NFL roster.
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