The Brahmas have always held a legacy of great wide receivers in the past.
Freshman wide receiver Jaelen “Go-Getter” Strong is keeping this trend alive, quickly becoming one of Pierce’s strongest new offensive threats.
The 6-foot-3 Uptown, Philadelphia native has already set the bar very high as a receiver.
During his debut game for the Brahmas against Victor Valley College, Strong scored three touchdowns and gained more than 200 receiving yards.
Strong moved to California in August of this year.
“I moved [to California] to get out and seek more exposure for football and for school.”
The move has certainly paid off with him becoming a well-known name and face on the team.
According to ESPN.com, several PAC-12 schools that are pursuing Strong with scholarship offers include Arizona, Arizona State and Oregon State.
Strong’s reason to leave Philadelphia wasn’t strictly based on football.
“I did it to get out of the hood, and to get my family out,” said Strong.
His father, who passed away when he was young, was an inspiration behind his jersey number, seven.
“My number is seven because my dad died on April 3 [4+3] and his birthday is February 9 [9-2] so that’s where the idea came from,” Strong said.
Strong is known amongst teammates and coaches as a player who gives everything he has into every single game.
“He works just as hard off the field as he does on the field,” teammate and linebacker Omar Black said. “Everything he does he puts his all into it. He’s just that type of guy.”
Assistant coach Jason Sabolic cited Strong’s growing maturity as a reason for his great playing.
“Jaelen took a year off last year to focus on his academics, which I think contributed to his maturity greatly,” Sabolic said. “I have no doubt he’ll go D-1.”
Offensive coordinator Jim Thorton says Strong is not only is a good person, but exhibits a positive attitude on and off the field as well.
“He gives great effort,” said Thorton. “He tries hard.”
Alongside being a great player, Strong is also known to be a great teammate as well as a friend.
“As a person he is a decent human being and as a friend he defines the title friend,” Black said. “He’s always there for you if you need him and always looking to make those around him better.”
Strong has a long road ahead of him in his career.
His goal is to get his degree and play in the NFL one day.
With his skill, size, ability, and focus on simply making himself and his family life better, he should have no problem getting there.
“I try to treat every game the same,” Strong says. “I just think of it as I may not be here tomorrow so I have to give it my all today.”
