Carson Steele Bio
Carson Steele is an American professional football fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ball State Cardinals and the UCLA Bruins. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL draft.
Early Life and Background
Carson Steele was born on October 21, 2002, in Greenwood, Indiana, United States. He is the son of Joseph Steele and Angela Berry-Steele. He grew up in Greenwood alongside his older sister, Kesslar Steele, in a supportive family that encouraged his early interest in football.
Steele attended Center Grove High School in Greenwood, where he developed into one of the most productive running backs in the state. As a senior in 2020, he rushed for 1,659 yards and 31 touchdowns, finishing his high school career with a remarkable 5,907 rushing yards. His dominant senior season earned him the Mr. Football award in Indiana, the state’s top individual honor for a high school player.
Path to American Football
Following his decorated prep career, Steele signed a letter of intent to play college football at Ball State University in February 2021. As a freshman with the Ball State Cardinals in 2021, he rushed for 891 yards and six touchdowns, immediately establishing himself as a physical, workhorse back. His offseason training numbers, including a 615-pound squat and a 405-pound bench press, drew national attention and earned him a reputation as one of the strongest players in college football.
Entering the 2022 season, Steele was named to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic’s prestigious list of the top 100 “freaks” in college football. He went on to rush for a career-high 198 yards and three touchdowns against Toledo on November 8, 2022, and added 192 yards against Kent State. He was twice named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week and finished the year ranked ninth nationally with 1,376 rushing yards on 263 attempts, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. His strong play earned him First-team All-MAC honors for 2022.
On January 4, 2023, Steele announced that he would transfer to the University of California, Los Angeles, to play for the UCLA Bruins. He appeared on Feldman’s “freak list” for a second consecutive year in 2023, continuing to build his profile as a powerful and versatile back.
Carson Steele Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
Steele’s first notable stretch came at Ball State, where he moved from promising freshman to one of the most productive running backs in the Mid-American Conference. His combination of size, strength, and consistency helped him post multiple 190-yard games during the 2022 season and established him as an NFL prospect to watch.
His move to UCLA for the 2023 season allowed him to test himself against a higher level of competition in the Pac-12. Across his college career with the Ball State Cardinals and the UCLA Bruins, Steele built a reputation as a between-the-tackles runner with the frame and toughness to handle a heavy workload.
NFL Breakthrough (2024)
Steele signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL draft. He made the team’s initial 53-man roster, where he was listed as a fullback rather than his collegiate position of running back. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2024 season against the Baltimore Ravens, carrying twice for 3 yards and returning a kick for 28 yards in a 27–20 win.
In Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons, Steele logged 17 rushing attempts for 72 yards and added one reception for 2 yards in a 22–17 Chiefs victory. Throughout his rookie year, he served as a run blocker and short-yardage runner, also contributing on special teams as a kick returner. He played a total of 199 offensive snaps, finishing with 183 rushing yards on 56 attempts, 26 receiving yards on 7 receptions, and 5 kick returns for 138 yards. His strong first season earned him recognition as an alternate for the 2025 Pro Bowl, where he finished second among AFC fullbacks in voting behind Baltimore’s Patrick Ricard.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2024–Present)
Steele’s transition to Kansas City marked a shift from feature running back to a hybrid fullback role in one of the league’s most successful offenses. As a rookie, he lined up primarily in the backfield but also took snaps at tight end, in the slot, and out wide, demonstrating the kind of versatility that has become a hallmark of modern fullbacks. His willingness to take on blocking duties, paired with his ability to grind out tough yards, made him a trusted complementary piece for the Chiefs.
On August 26, 2025, Steele was waived by the Chiefs as part of final roster cuts and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day, keeping him within the Kansas City organization as he continued his development at the professional level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Steele is best known for his physical running style, lower-body strength, and reliability in short-yardage and blocker roles. Listed at 183 cm and 103 kg, he combines the frame of a traditional fullback with the leg drive of a power running back, allowing him to finish runs through contact. His commitment to strength training and his football IQ have helped him earn an expanded role on special teams and in multiple offensive packages.
Notable Events and Milestones
Steele’s 198-yard, three-touchdown performance against Toledo on November 8, 2022, stands as his single-game college high and helped solidify his reputation as a top MAC back. He was also named Mr. Football in Indiana after the 2020 high school season and earned First-team All-MAC recognition in 2022. In the NFL, his Week 3 surge against Atlanta and his Pro Bowl alternate nod as a rookie headline his early professional milestones.
Carson Steele Career Wins
Across his high school, college, and professional career, Carson Steele has consistently delivered productive performances at every level. From his 5,907 career rushing yards at Center Grove High School to his 1,376-yard junior season at Ball State, he has produced winning efforts in marquee matchups against conference opponents and NFL playoff contenders alike.
College and Pro Highlights
Steele recorded multiple signature wins during the 2022 season, including a 198-yard performance against Toledo and a 192-yard effort against Kent State, both of which fueled Ball State’s offensive success. As a professional, his Week 3, 2024 outing against the Atlanta Falcons was a standout, totaling 74 scrimmage yards in a 22–17 Chiefs victory, while his Week 1 debut against the Baltimore Ravens marked his first NFL win.
Other Performances
Steele earned individual recognition as Mr. Football in Indiana in 2020 and was twice named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week during the 2022 season, reflecting his consistent impact on winning efforts at the regional and conference level.
Carson Steele Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Carson Steele was born to Joseph Steele and Angela Berry-Steele, who raised him in Greenwood, Indiana. He grew up alongside his older sister, Kesslar Steele, in a family that supported his athletic development throughout his youth.
Personal Life
Steele remains closely tied to his family in Indiana, where his parents and sister were a steady presence during his rise through high school, college, and into the NFL. He has continued to be recognized publicly for his connection to his hometown and his dedication to his family.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with a roster shakeup for Carson Steele, as the Kansas City Chiefs waived him on August 26, 2025, as part of final cuts before re-signing him to the practice squad the following day. The move allowed the organization to retain his development potential while giving the team flexibility at the fullback position heading into the regular season.
After earning a Pro Bowl alternate nod as a rookie, Steele entered 2025 with momentum and a clear role as a versatile fullback and short-yardage runner. His ability to contribute on offense, in the kicking game, and in multiple personnel groupings gives Kansas City a dependable depth piece behind its veteran offensive core.
Looking ahead, Steele’s path back to the active roster will depend on continued growth as a blocker and special teams contributor. With his combination of size, strength, and scheme familiarity, he remains a strong candidate to be elevated from the practice squad as the Chiefs manage the wear and tear of a long NFL season.