Jason Bean Bio
Jason Bean (born June 9, 1999) is an American professional football quarterback. He played college football for the North Texas Mean Green and the Kansas Jayhawks. He was drafted first overall in the 2024 UFL draft by the Memphis Showboats.
Early Life and Background
Jason Bean was born on June 9, 1999, in Mansfield, Texas, and grew up in the same community where he would later build the foundation for his football career. He attended Lake Ridge High School in Mansfield, where he developed into a college-level quarterback prospect. After completing high school, Bean committed to playing college football at the University of North Texas, beginning the next stage of his athletic journey.
Path to American Football
Jason Bean attended the University of North Texas from 2018 to 2020, during which time he played for the Mean Green. He appeared in only one game during his first year on campus and returned as a redshirt freshman in his second season. By his third year with the program, he had earned several weekly accolades, including Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week, Manning Award Star of the Week, and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Player of the Week, while also being named to the Davey O’Brien Award Great 8 list. After the 2020 season, Bean entered the NCAA transfer portal and transferred to the University of Kansas in the spring of 2021 to continue his collegiate career.
Jason Bean Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
During his time at North Texas, Jason Bean worked through a typical developmental path, appearing in only one game as a freshman before redshirting and steadily earning a larger role. His third season with the Mean Green produced the bulk of his early recognition, as his weekly conference and national awards highlighted his growth as a passer and decision-maker. Those performances set the stage for his decision to seek a new opportunity through the transfer portal after the 2020 season.
Kansas Jayhawks Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Jason Bean transferred to the University of Kansas in the spring of 2021 and continued his collegiate career with the Jayhawks. He was named the starter for the 2023 season opener and completed 22 of 28 passing attempts for 276 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding 41 yards on the ground, as he helped the Jayhawks beat Missouri State. In the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, Bean threw for 449 yards and six passing touchdowns, which were the most passing touchdowns by a Big 12 player in a bowl game in conference history. That bowl performance became the signature moment of his college career and earned him 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl MVP honors.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2024–Present)
Jason Bean signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2024. On July 17, he was drafted first overall by the Memphis Showboats in the 2024 UFL draft. Bean was waived by the Colts on August 27 during roster cuts and signed to the team’s practice squad the next day. He was listed on the Colts’ roster as a quarterback/wide receiver and signed a reserve/future contract with Indianapolis on January 6, 2025. Despite being under contract with the Colts, Bean was incorrectly reported by multiple press outlets as a member of the Showboats heading into the 2025 UFL season. On August 26, 2025, he was waived by the Colts as part of final roster cuts.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jason Bean’s most notable milestone came in the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, where his six-touchdown performance set a Big 12 conference record for passing touchdowns in a bowl game. His selection as the first overall pick in the 2024 UFL draft by the Memphis Showboats added another headline moment, even as he remained under contract with the Indianapolis Colts organization throughout that period.
Jason Bean Career Wins
Jason Bean’s most celebrated victory came in the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, where he led the Kansas Jayhawks with a record-setting passing performance. Earlier in his senior season, he guided the Jayhawks to a season-opening win over Missouri State in his debut as the starting quarterback.
College Highlights
Jason Bean’s college career included steady progression at North Texas followed by a high-profile finish at Kansas, where his 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl showing produced six passing touchdowns and 449 passing yards. That bowl win and his regular-season debut against Missouri State stand as the most clearly verified victories from his time at the University of Kansas.
2025 Season Performance
Jason Bean entered the 2025 offseason under contract with the Indianapolis Colts after signing a reserve/future deal on January 6, 2025. Despite his Colts contract, multiple outlets, including ESPN, incorrectly described him as a member of the Memphis Showboats in coverage leading up to the 2025 UFL season. Bean was waived by the Colts on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts, ending his time on the Indianapolis roster heading into the 2025 NFL season.