Ashton Dulin Bio
Ashton Dulin (born May 15, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver and kickoff returner for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Known for his speed and special-teams value, he has carved out a long career despite going undrafted out of a Division II program. Standing 6 feet 2 inches and weighing around 216 pounds, he combines track-level athleticism with the physicality required of an NFL receiver.
Born in Elkhart, Indiana, Dulin grew up in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, where he developed into a multi-sport standout before committing to Malone University. He joined the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and has remained with the organization throughout his professional career, establishing himself as a trusted contributor on offense, in the return game, and on coverage units.
Early Life and Background
Ashton Dulin was born on May 15, 1997, in Elkhart, Indiana, and raised in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. He attended Reynoldsburg High School, where he competed in football and track and field, showcasing the speed and versatility that would later define his professional profile. As a senior, he earned first-team All-Ohio recognition at free safety, an unusual distinction for a player who would eventually transition to offense at the next level.
Coming out of high school, Dulin chose to attend Malone University, a Division II program in Canton, Ohio, over a competing offer from Ashland. The decision to play at a smaller school did not limit his development; instead, it allowed him to contribute immediately while refining the route-running and return skills that would later translate to the NFL.
Path to American Football
Dulin arrived at Malone University as a four-year starter for the Malone Pioneers football team. He developed into one of the premier players in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), pairing his production as a receiver with elite special-teams work. His size and straight-line speed made him a matchup problem at the Division II level and helped him stand out to NFL scouts.
As a junior, Dulin was named first-team All-G-MAC after posting 59 receptions for 1,050 yards and 10 touchdowns. His senior season was even more complete: he again earned first-team All-G-MAC honors while also being named both the conference Offensive Player of the Year and Special Teams Player of the Year. That final campaign also marked the end of Malone’s football program, which was discontinued shortly after his departure.
Ashton Dulin Career
Early Career (2019)
Ashton Dulin signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2019. He was released during final roster cuts on August 31 but was re-signed to the team’s practice squad the very next day. On September 27, he was promoted to the active roster, setting the stage for his regular-season debut.
Dulin made his NFL debut on September 29, 2019, against the Oakland Raiders, recording a tackle on special teams and becoming the first and only Malone football player to appear in an NFL game. He later caught his first career pass, a 13-yard reception from Jacoby Brissett, on December 1. He finished his rookie season having played in 13 games, with two receptions for 17 yards, three kickoff returns for 90 yards, and six special-teams tackles.
NFL Breakthrough with the Indianapolis Colts (2020-2021)
Dulin made the Colts’ 53-man roster to open the 2020 season, but his year was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on November 7 before being activated on November 28. On January 10, 2021, he signed a one-year extension with Indianapolis, signaling the organization’s confidence in his role on special teams and as a developmental receiver.
The 2021 season was Dulin’s true breakthrough. He appeared in all 17 games with one start and finished second in the NFL with 17 special-teams tackles. He also set new career highs with 13 receptions for 173 yards and two receiving touchdowns. His body of work on coverage units earned him Associated Press Second-team All-Pro honors, the first All-Pro recognition of his career.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2022-Present)
Dulin’s 2022 season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on October 11, though he was designated to return on November 9 and activated in time for Week 10. The following offseason, on March 20, 2023, he re-signed with the Colts to remain in Indianapolis, but a torn ACL suffered in training camp landed him on injured reserve on August 17.
On March 12, 2025, Dulin agreed to a two-year, $6.5 million contract to stay with the Colts, cementing his long-term place on the roster. In 10 appearances during the 2025 season, he recorded five receptions for 106 yards. On November 25, he was placed on injured reserve after a hamstring injury suffered in Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although best known as a wide receiver and returner, Dulin’s primary value to the Colts has consistently come on special teams, where his tackling, field awareness, and straight-line speed have made him one of the league’s more dependable coverage players. Offensively, he profiles as a vertical threat whose track background allows him to stress defenses down the sideline. His ability to contribute on offense, in the return game, and on coverage units has kept him on NFL rosters for seven seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
Dulin’s most notable milestones include becoming the first Malone University football player to appear in an NFL game and earning Associated Press Second-team All-Pro honors in 2021 after finishing second in the league with 17 special-teams tackles. His two-year, $6.5 million re-signing with Indianapolis in March 2025 represented the largest contract of his career to that point.
Ashton Dulin Career Wins
Ashton Dulin’s professional resume is built around consistent production rather than championship hardware. His top individual honors include first-team All-G-MAC recognition in both 2017 and 2018 at Malone University and an Associated Press Second-team All-Pro selection in 2021 with the Indianapolis Colts.
NFL Highlights
Across his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts, Dulin has built a reputation as a reliable special-teams contributor and a depth receiver. His 2021 campaign stands as the high-water mark: 17 games played, 13 receptions for 173 yards and two touchdowns, and a league-leading 17 special-teams tackles that earned him Second-team All-Pro honors. More recently, he logged five receptions for 106 yards in 10 appearances during the 2025 season before a hamstring injury sent him to injured reserve.
Other Performances
At the college level, Dulin closed his Malone career with 189 receptions for 3,188 yards and 28 touchdowns, while adding 387 rushing yards and three scores on 53 carries. He was twice named first-team All-G-MAC and, in his senior season, swept the conference Offensive and Special Teams Player of the Year awards, foreshadowing the dual-threat profile he would bring to the NFL.
Ashton Dulin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Ashton Dulin’s immediate family is limited. He was born and raised between Elkhart, Indiana, and Reynoldsburg, Ohio, communities that helped shape his early athletic development. His parents and any siblings have not been publicly documented in widely available sources.
Personal Life
Details about Ashton Dulin’s personal life, including his marital status, spouse, and children, are not publicly confirmed in available sources. He is known to reside in the Indianapolis area while playing for the Colts.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a new chapter for Ashton Dulin after he signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts on March 12. The deal reflected his standing as a core special-teams player and a trusted depth receiver within the organization. He appeared in 10 games during the season, contributing five receptions for 106 yards while continuing his role on coverage units.
His campaign was interrupted on November 25 when a hamstring injury suffered in Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs sent him to injured reserve. Despite the setback, his production and reliability in the first three months of the season reinforced his value to the Colts’ roster heading into the next phase of his contract.
Looking ahead, Dulin is expected to remain a key piece of Indianapolis’ special-teams plans while pushing for a larger offensive role when healthy. With one year remaining on his current deal, his performance in recovery and offseason preparation will likely determine whether he expands his role or remains a high-end specialist for the Colts.