ASU in the Pros Series: Houston Texans WR Jaelen Strong

Once a hero at Arizona State University and a potential first round pick talent, WR Jaelen Strong is still looking for his time to shine.

Everybody remembers Strong for the play entitled the “Jael Mary,” in which he caught a game-winning touchdown in the final seconds of a 38-34 Sun Devil victory over the USC Trojans.

While this play might have been the pinnacle of Strong’s college career, he boasted overall impressive numbers during the two-year stint.

Time at Arizona State

2013: 75 rec, 1122 yds, 7 TD

2014: 82 rec, 1165 yds, 10 TD

Strong was the outright number one option for both Taylor Kelley and Mike Bercovici, during both of their times as starting quarterbacks.

In 2013 he started all but one of the 14 games the Sun Devils played that year, and in 2014 he started and played in 12 games.

Also in that 2014 season he was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, but lost out to a much-deserving Amari Cooper from the University of Alabama.

He elected to enter the 2015 NFL Draft and was considered by many experts to be a first rounder. However, Strong saw himself fall to the third round until he was finally drafted by the Houston Texans.

Time in the National Football League

Strong has been in the league for two full seasons and has not made a huge impact in the deep wide receiving core in Houston.

2015: 14 rec, 161 yds, 3 TD

2016: 14 rec, 131 yds, 0 TD

The three touchdowns that came during his rookie year included a 42-yard Hail Mary from QB Brian Hoyer as time expired in the first half against the Indianapolis Colts. It was Strong’s first career catch.

In between his rookie year and the 2016 season Strong was also arrested on a possession of marijuana charge in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was booked but later released.

Strong still has the ability to be a versatile wide receiver in the NFL, as his ability to catch in traffic is undisputed. It is just a matter of whether or not he gets a shot to play full-time at the NFL level.