Football | 8/30/2026 6:24:00 PM
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Former Minnesota State Moorhead quarterback
Jack Strand has earned a spot on the Atlanta Falcons initial 53-man active roster. The team announced Strand would be one of four active quarterbacks to begin the 2026 NFL regular season following the NFL cut deadline on Sunday evening.
Strand saw action in all three of Atlanta's preseason games beginning on August 14 against the Denver Broncos. He completed six of 12 pass attempts for 50 yards and added a one-yard rushing touchdown. Strand had a breakout showing against the Indianapolis Colts on August 22, completing 12 of 17 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns. The former Dragon also showed off his athleticism with a 16-yard touchdown run. Atlanta toppled the Colts, 34-6.
Strand played the entire second half for the Falcons on Friday against the Miami Dolphins, completing six of seven passes for 43 yards and an interception. He would lead a game-clinching drive in the fourth quarter to secure a 17-12 Falcons victory. The Bloomer, Wis., native finishes the preseason 24 of 36 passing with 305 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Strand also rushed for 29 yards and two touchdowns in three games.
Strand, a four-year starter at quarterback for the Dragons, signed with Atlanta in April following the 2026 NFL Draft. He holds every school passing record (career and single-season) while also securing NSIC career records in passing yards, pass completions and passing touchdowns. In NCAA Division II history, Strand ranks ninth in career pass yards per game (313.4), 10
th in career passing yards (13,161) and is tied for fifth all-time in career passing touchdowns (126).
He was a four-time All-NSIC selection, earning the league's Offensive Player of the Year Award twice (2023, 2025). In his career, Strand earned eight All-America certificates, including five in his senior season alone. The quarterback was a three-time nominee for the Harlon Hill Trophy, placing fourth in national voting in 2025.
The Falcons will now prepare for the start of the NFL regular season on Sunday, September 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mark Reed (1983, Baltimore Colts) and Ted Nemzek (1930, Green Bay Packers) are the only Dragon alumni who have played in an NFL regular season game.
