Jack Colletto Bio
Jack Colletto (born November 19, 1998) is an American professional football fullback. He played college football for the Arizona Western Matadors and the Oregon State Beavers before signing with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL draft. Listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 238 pounds, Colletto has built his career on positional versatility, contributing as a runner, blocker, and defender at the college level.
Born in Camas, Washington, Colletto rose to prominence as a multi-sport high school athlete before becoming one of the most decorated utility players in the Pac-12 Conference. He is best known for winning the Paul Hornung Award in 2022 as the most versatile player in college football.
Early Life and Background
Jack Colletto grew up in Camas, Washington, a small city on the Columbia River across from Portland, Oregon. He attended Camas High School, where he was a three-sport athlete in baseball, basketball, and football. His rare combination of size and athleticism made him a standout prospect in multiple disciplines during his prep years.
As a senior at Camas High School, Colletto was named the Washington Gatorade Player of the Year. During that season, he passed for 2,846 yards and 27 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,253 yards and 21 touchdowns, demonstrating the dual-threat skill set that would later define his college reputation. Although he drew interest from several Division I programs, Colletto opted to begin his college career at Arizona Western College, a junior college powerhouse in Yuma, Arizona.
Path to American Football
Colletto started his college career at Arizona Western College, where he played quarterback for the Matadors. In his freshman season, he completed 39 of 67 pass attempts for 548 yards and four touchdowns and added 185 rushing yards with nine rushing touchdowns on 43 carries. His performance at the junior college level drew attention from four-year programs.
After his freshman year, Colletto committed to transfer to Oregon State University, joining the Beavers’ football program. The move to a Pac-12 program marked a major step in his development, and it was at Oregon State where he would evolve from a pure passer into the versatile offensive weapon that earned him national recognition.
Jack Colletto Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Colletto began his Oregon State career as a backup quarterback and was primarily used in short-yardage rushing situations. He made one start at quarterback, leading the Beavers to a 41–34 victory over Colorado in which he completed six of 14 passes for 35 yards and one interception while rushing for two touchdowns. Following that season, the Oregon State coaching staff moved him to linebacker during spring practices in 2019.
He played in four games in 2019 before redshirting the remainder of the season, splitting his snaps between linebacker on defense and short-yardage rushing duties on offense. Over his next two seasons, Colletto continued to play linebacker while also taking on an expanded fullback role, laying the groundwork for his emergence as a true two-way contributor.
Oregon State Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Colletto’s breakout came in 2021, when he was named Second-team All-Pac-12 Conference as a redshirt junior. That season, he rushed for 144 yards and eight touchdowns on offense and added eight tackles, one forced fumble, and an interception on defense. His ability to impact the game in multiple phases made him one of the conference’s most discussed players.
In 2022, Colletto won the Paul Hornung Award, given annually to college football’s most versatile player. He was also named First-team All-Pac-12 that season, cementing his reputation as one of the most unique talents in college football. His combination of blocking, short-yardage rushing, and defensive snaps at the Power Five level set him apart from traditional specialists.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2023–Present)
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL draft, Colletto signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2023. He was waived on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the 49ers’ practice squad before being released on October 4, 2023.
On October 9, 2023, Colletto was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad. He signed a reserve and futures contract with the Steelers on January 17, 2024, and later returned to the practice squad after being waived on August 27. He was released on October 1. Colletto has continued to pursue a fullback role in the NFL through his work on the Steelers’ developmental roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
Colletto’s signature college milestone came in 2022 when he became the first Oregon State player to win the Paul Hornung Award. His career-defining win at quarterback came in a 41–34 victory over Colorado, in which he led the Beavers on the ground with two rushing touchdowns. The Paul Hornung Award stands as the centerpiece of his competitive résumé.
Jack Colletto Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Jack Colletto’s parents and immediate family is limited. He was raised in Camas, Washington, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete at Camas High School.
Personal Life
Colletto keeps his personal life largely private. There is no public record of a spouse or children. He maintains a presence on social media platforms, including X and Instagram, where he shares updates from his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
Jack Colletto enters the 2025 season continuing his pursuit of a stable roster spot in the National Football League. After a 2023 undrafted free agent deal with the San Francisco 49ers and a transition to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad, his focus remains on carving out a role as a fullback at the professional level. The Steelers have shown continued interest in his development, and he re-signed with the organization following the 2023 campaign.
Heading into 2025, Colletto’s primary opportunity lies in showcasing his special-teams and blocking value, areas where his college résumé at Oregon State stands out. His Paul Hornung Award-winning versatility provides a unique selling point for a roster that values multi-phase contributors. Any promotion to the active roster would depend on health, scheme fit, and the team’s approach to traditional fullback positions.
With another year of NFL preparation behind him, Colletto’s outlook in 2025 will be shaped by his ability to translate his college versatility into the specialized demands of professional football. His track record of adaptation, from quarterback to linebacker to fullback, suggests he remains committed to extending his professional career in Pittsburgh.