Jaylen Warren Bio
Derrell Jaylen Warren, born on November 1, 1998, is an American professional football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 215 pounds, he has built a reputation as a hard-running, versatile back who has steadily climbed from small-town beginnings to the top level of professional football.
Warren played college football at Snow College, Utah State, and Oklahoma State before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Since then, he has emerged as a dependable contributor in the Steelers offense, known for his quick feet, balance, and reliability as both a rusher and pass catcher.
Early Life and Background
Warren was born in Clinton, North Carolina, on November 1, 1998. He later moved with his family to Utah, where he attended East High School in Salt Lake City. As a senior, he rushed for 3,099 yards to break a 37-year-old single-season state rushing record previously held by Kelly Smith, becoming the first player in Utah history to break the 3,000-yard mark.
During that 2016 season, Warren rushed for 38 touchdowns and surpassed 100 yards in all 14 games, eclipsing 200 yards in 12 of them. He helped lead the Leopards to a 14-0 record and a second consecutive Class 4A state championship, establishing himself as one of the most decorated high school running backs in Utah history.
Path to American Football
Warren began his college career at Snow College, a junior college program in Utah. In 2018, he was named NJCAA National Offensive Player of the Year and NJCAA First-team All-American after rushing for 1,435 yards and 15 touchdowns in just nine games, averaging 159.4 rushing yards per contest. His dominant play at the junior college level earned him attention from multiple Division I programs.
In 2019, Warren transferred to Utah State, where he finished second on the team with 569 rushing yards and recorded a season-high 141 yards against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. After a COVID-19-shortened 2020 campaign in which he led the Aggies with 252 rushing yards and three touchdowns, he entered the transfer portal again in 2021 to join Oklahoma State for his senior season.
At Oklahoma State, Warren rushed for 1,216 yards and 11 touchdowns, starting the final 12 of 14 games. He was named Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year and ran for a season-high 218 yards on 32 carries against the Boise State Broncos, including a 75-yard touchdown in a 21-20 victory. His performance cemented his status as one of the most productive running backs in college football that year.
Jaylen Warren Career
Early Career (2018-2021)
Warren’s college journey began at Snow College, where his 2018 NJCAA National Offensive Player of the Year award marked him as one of the top junior college running backs in the country. That success led to a scholarship offer from Utah State, where he earned Academic All-Mountain West Conference honors in both 2019 and 2020 while developing his pass-catching and blocking skills.
At Oklahoma State in 2021, Warren put together a career-defining senior season. He was a central figure in the Cowboys offense, delivering consistent production against top-tier Big 12 defenses. By the end of his college career, he had established himself as a complete three-down back, which made him an attractive option for NFL teams even though he went undrafted in 2022.
NFL Breakthrough (2022-2023)
Warren signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and made the final roster after an impressive training camp. In his NFL debut against the Cincinnati Bengals, he earned his first professional start and recorded three carries for seven yards in a 23-20 Steelers victory. He scored his first career touchdown on December 18, 2022, a two-yard run against the Carolina Panthers in a 24-16 win. As a rookie, he finished with 77 carries for 379 rushing yards and 28 receptions for 214 receiving yards.
Warren’s 2023 season marked his true arrival in the league. After a slow start, he earned the starting running back role over Najee Harris ahead of Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers, finishing that game with 15 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown, his first career 100-yard rushing performance. The following week, he ran for 129 yards and a 74-yard touchdown against the Cleveland Browns. He closed the regular season with 149 carries for 789 yards and four touchdowns, plus 61 receptions for 370 yards, amassing 1,229 all-purpose yards across 17 games and one playoff contest.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2022-Present)
Warren has been with the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2022, evolving from a complementary back into a featured offensive weapon. In 2024, he played through a preseason hamstring injury and finished the regular season with 120 carries for 511 yards and one touchdown as the Steelers went 10-7 and reached the AFC Wild Card round against the Baltimore Ravens.
On April 22, 2025, Warren re-signed with Pittsburgh on a one-year restricted free agent tender worth $5.3 million. With Najee Harris departing in the 2025 offseason, he was named the starting running back ahead of Kenneth Gainwell and Kaleb Johnson. On September 1, 2025, he signed a two-year contract extension that runs through the 2027 season, cementing his long-term future with the franchise.
Driving Style and Strengths
Warren is regarded as a compact, low-center-of-gravity running back whose quickness, balance, and strong lower body allow him to absorb contact and keep moving forward. He is a reliable receiver out of the backfield, capable of turning short passes into meaningful gains, and he is trusted in pass protection. Head coach Mike Tomlin has praised him and his backfield mates as strong-minded runners who run to the fight, a description that reflects Warren’s physical, between-the-tackles running style.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Warren’s NFL career came in 2023 against the Cleveland Browns, when he broke free for a 74-yard rushing touchdown, the longest run of his career to that point. He also made his postseason debut in the 2023 AFC Wild Card round against the Buffalo Bills, a milestone in his young career. In 2025, his first start against the New York Jets produced a touchdown catch from Aaron Rodgers in a 34-32 victory, reinforcing his value as a dual-threat playmaker.
Jaylen Warren Career Wins
While Jaylen Warren has not accumulated the long list of team championships that headline some careers, he has earned a series of individual awards and milestone wins that trace his steady rise through the sport. From breaking a Utah high school state record, to capturing NJCAA and Big 12 honors, to producing multiple 100-yard NFL games, his résumé is built on performance and consistency.
College Highlights
Warren’s most celebrated collegiate moment came at Oklahoma State in 2021, when he rushed for 1,216 yards and 11 touchdowns and was named Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year. He had previously been named NJCAA National Offensive Player of the Year and NJCAA First-team All-American at Snow College in 2018, an award that launched his path to Division I football.
Other Wins and Performances
In the NFL, Warren has delivered several standout performances, including his first 100-yard rushing game against the Green Bay Packers in 2023 and a 129-yard, one-touchdown effort against the Cleveland Browns later that same season. In 2025, he caught a touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers in the Steelers’ season-opening 34-32 victory over the New York Jets, signaling the start of his first full season as Pittsburgh’s lead back.
Jaylen Warren Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Warren is a cousin of former NFL running back Willie Parker, who also signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent. That family connection to the NFL added an extra layer of meaning to Warren’s decision to begin his professional career in Pittsburgh, a city with deep ties to his extended family.
Personal Life
Warren grew up in Clinton, North Carolina, before moving to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he attended East High School. He has continued to make his home in the United States during his professional career, and his journey from a small-town high school star to an NFL starter has made him a respected figure among young athletes in both North Carolina and Utah.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents a new chapter for Jaylen Warren, who entered the year as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ unquestioned starting running back for the first time in his career. After re-signing on a one-year restricted free agent tender in April and later agreeing to a two-year extension through 2027, he began the season with a touchdown reception from Aaron Rodgers in a 34-32 win over the New York Jets, finishing that opener with 11 carries for 37 yards and two catches for 22 yards.
Warren’s early season was briefly interrupted when he was ruled out before the Week 4 game against the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland with a knee injury. He returned after the Steelers’ Week 5 bye to face the Cleveland Browns, where he recorded 11 carries for 52 yards in a 23-9 division win, his highest rushing total of the season at that point.
With the Steelers competing in a tightly contested AFC North, Warren’s combination of rushing production and pass-catching ability is expected to remain central to their offensive plans. His expanded role, his new contract, and his standing as the lead back position the Steelers for a push toward the postseason behind a revitalized offense.