Jason Bean is an American professional football quarterback who has competed in both the National Football League and the United Football League. Born on June 9, 1999, in Mansfield, Texas, Bean played college football at the University of North Texas and the University of Kansas before beginning his professional career in 2024. He was selected first overall in the 2024 UFL draft by the Memphis Showboats and has continued his football career with multiple organizations in the UFL system.
Jason Bean Bio
Jason Bean is a professional quarterback who has established himself in both collegiate and professional football leagues. His journey from Mansfield, Texas, to the professional ranks showcases his development as a dual-threat quarterback capable of making significant contributions through both passing and rushing plays. Bean has played for several teams across the NFL and UFL, demonstrating his adaptability and skill at the quarterback position.
Early Life and Background
Bean was born on June 9, 1999, in Mansfield, Texas, a city located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. He attended Lake Ridge High School in Mansfield, Texas, where he developed his skills as a quarterback during his high school years. His performance at Lake Ridge High School earned him the opportunity to continue his football career at the collegiate level, as he ultimately chose to commit to the University of North Texas after graduating from high school.
Path to American Football
After high school, Bean committed to playing college football at the University of North Texas, where he began his collegiate career in 2018. He played for the North Texas Mean Green from 2018 to 2020, though his first year was limited to appearing in only one game, which resulted in him redshirting and returning as a redshirt freshman the following season. During his third year with North Texas, Bean began to receive more recognition, earning Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week honors along with Manning Award Star of the Week and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Player of the Week distinctions. He was also named to the Davey OBrien Award Great 8 list during this period. Following the conclusion of the 2020 season, Bean entered the NCAA transfer portal seeking a new opportunity.
Bean transferred to the University of Kansas in the spring of 2021 to continue his collegiate football career. He earned the starting quarterback position heading into the 2023 season, marking a significant milestone in his development as a college player. His first start came during the 2023 season opener against Missouri State, where he completed 22 of 28 passing attempts for 276 yards and two touchdowns while also adding 41 rushing yards, helping lead the Jayhawks to victory. His most outstanding performance came during the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, where he threw for 449 yards and six passing touchdowns, setting the record for most passing touchdowns by a Big 12 player in a bowl game in conference history and earning Guaranteed Rate Bowl MVP honors.
Jason Bean Career
College Career
Bean played at the University of North Texas from 2018 to 2020, appearing primarily as a backup during his freshman season before redshirting. His performance in his third season with the Mean Green demonstrated his growing abilities as a quarterback, earning him multiple conference-level accolades and national award recognition. His decision to enter the transfer portal after the 2020 season reflected his ambition to find a program where he could assume a more prominent role as a starting quarterback.
At Kansas, Bean became the featured quarterback for the Jayhawks during the 2023 season. His 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl performance stood as one of the most impressive bowl game performances by any Big 12 quarterback in conference history, establishing him as a legitimate professional prospect. His combination of passing efficiency and mobility made him an attractive prospect for professional teams seeking a dual-threat quarterback option.
Professional Career
Following his collegiate career at Kansas, Bean entered the 2024 NFL draft but went undrafted. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2024. Less than three months later, on July 17, 2024, Bean was selected first overall by the Memphis Showboats in the 2024 UFL draft. This marked a notable achievement, as he became the first overall pick in the inaugural UFL draft despite already being under contract with the Colts organization.
Bean was waived by the Colts on August 27, 2024, during roster cuts but was signed to the teams practice squad the following day. He was listed on the Colts roster as a quarterback and wide receiver, demonstrating his versatility. On January 6, 2025, Bean signed a reserve-future contract with Indianapolis, securing his place with the organization for the 2025 season.
2025 Season Performance
Bean began the 2025 season with the Indianapolis Colts following his reserve-future contract signing in January. He participated with the team throughout the offseason program, training camp, and preseason as the Colts evaluated their roster composition at the quarterback position. Bean was waived by the Colts on August 26, 2025, as part of the teams final roster reductions heading into the regular season. This marked a transition point in his professional career as he sought opportunities with other organizations.
Louisville Kings and DC Defenders
On January 12, 2026, Bean was allocated to the Louisville Kings of the United Football League. Unlike his previous UFL draft scenario with Memphis, Bean agreed to report to Kings training camp and was immediately named the teams starting quarterback. He started the first four games of the Louisville Kings season before being traded to another UFL franchise. On April 19, 2026, Bean was traded to the DC Defenders in exchange for quarterback Mike DiLiello, providing him with an opportunity to continue his professional career with a new organization.
Jason Bean Career Wins
Bean has accumulated notable achievements throughout his football career, with his most significant accomplishments coming during his collegiate tenure at Kansas. His professional career has seen him compete at the NFL and UFL levels while demonstrating his abilities as a quarterback for multiple organizations.
College Highlights
Bean earned MVP honors at the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, a defining moment in his football career. During that championship performance, he threw for 449 yards and six touchdowns, establishing a conference record for most passing touchdowns by a Big 12 player in any bowl game. His consistency throughout the 2023 season at Kansas, where he served as the teams starting quarterback, provided the foundation for his professional opportunities. Bean also received multiple weekly conference honors during his time at North Texas and was recognized with several national award nominations.
Professional Highlights
Bean was selected first overall in the 2024 UFL draft by the Memphis Showboats, representing the highest draft selection in league history at that time. His professional journey has included stints with the Indianapolis Colts, Memphis Showboats, Louisville Kings, and DC Defenders, demonstrating his continued pursuit of opportunities at the professional level. His dual-threat ability as a quarterback has remained a consistent aspect of his game throughout his progression from college to professional football.
Jason Bean Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Specific details regarding Jason Beans family background, including his parents, siblings, or any family connections to athletics, are not extensively documented in publicly available sources. Public records indicate he was born in Mansfield, Texas, on June 9, 1999, to parents residing in the area, though detailed biographical information about his immediate family members has not been widely reported in mainstream sports coverage.
Personal Life
Jason Bean maintains an active presence on social media platforms, where he engages with fans and shares updates about his football career. He completed his collegiate football career at the University of North Texas and the University of Kansas, pursuing his goal of playing professional football from a young age. Beyond his athletic pursuits, publicly available information about his personal interests, relationships, or off-field activities remains limited.