Jaylen Warren Bio
Derrell Jaylen Warren (born November 1, 1998) is an American professional football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Warren played college football at Snow College, Utah State, and Oklahoma State before signing with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Known for his compact frame, elusiveness, and dual-threat ability, Warren has developed into a reliable contributor for one of the NFL’s historic franchises.
Early Life and Background
Warren was born on November 1, 1998, in Clinton, North Carolina. His family relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he attended East High School. During his senior year in 2016, Warren delivered a record-setting performance by rushing for 3,099 yards and 38 touchdowns. He broke a 37-year-old single-season state rushing record previously held by former BYU national champion Kelly Smith. Warren became the first player in Utah history to surpass the 3,000-yard rushing mark. He recorded 200 rushing yards in 12 of 14 games that season.
Warren helped lead East High School to a perfect 14-0 season and a second consecutive Class 4A state championship. His exceptional high school career established him as one of the most prolific running backs in Utah prep history and generated interest from college programs across the country.
Path to the NFL
Following his standout high school career, Warren began his college journey at Snow College, a junior college in Ephraim, Utah. In 2018, he delivered a dominant season by compiling 1,435 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in just nine games, averaging 159.4 yards per contest. His performance earned him NJCAA National Offensive Player of the Year honors and a spot on the NJCAA First-team All-American list. These accolades positioned him for a move to Division I football.
Warren transferred to Utah State University in 2019. In his Division I debut against Wake Forest, he ran for 141 yards, showcasing his ability to compete at the highest collegiate level. He finished his first season with the Aggies with 569 rushing yards. The 2020 season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Warren still led Utah State with 252 rushing yards in three games. He was named Academic All-Mountain West Conference in both 2019 and 2020.
In 2021, Warren transferred to Oklahoma State University for his senior season. He rushed for 1,216 yards and 11 touchdowns while playing in all 14 games and starting the final 12. His most memorable performance came against Boise State when he exploded for 218 rushing yards on 32 attempts, including a 75-yard touchdown run in a narrow 21-20 victory. His breakthrough season earned him Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors.
Jaylen Warren Career
Rookie Season (2022)
Warren signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in May 2022. He impressed coaches during training camp and the preseason, earning a spot on the final roster on August 31, 2022. He is a cousin of former NFL running back Willie Parker, who also joined the Steelers as an undrafted player.
Warren made his first NFL start in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. His first career touchdown came on December 18, 2022, when he scored on a 2-yard rushing run against the Carolina Panthers. As a rookie, he finished with 77 carries for 379 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, adding 28 receptions for 214 receiving yards.
Breakthrough Season (2023)
The 2023 season marked Warren’s emergence as a significant contributor. He appeared in all 17 regular season games and the AFC Wildcard Round playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. In Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers, Warren was named the starting running back and responded with 15 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown, marking his first 100-yard rushing game in the NFL.
He followed that performance with another 100-yard game against the Cleveland Browns, carrying nine times for 129 yards and a 74-yard touchdown run. His versatility as a receiver also stood out, as he caught 61 passes for 370 yards throughout the season. Warren finished 2023 with 789 rushing yards, four touchdowns, and 1,229 all-purpose yards across 18 games.
Jaylen Warren with the Steelers (2024–Present)
The 2024 season began with a hamstring injury in the preseason that limited Warren early on. Despite the setback, he played in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons and continued to work back into form. His best statistical game came during the Steelers’ 28-27 victory over the Washington Commanders, where he accumulated 95 all-purpose yards.
Warren finished the 2024 regular season with 120 carries for 511 yards and one touchdown. The Steelers posted a 10-7 record and qualified for the playoffs. In the AFC Wildcard Round against the Baltimore Ravens, Warren had six rushing yards and 19 receiving yards as the Steelers fell 28-14.
Heading into the 2025 season, Warren secured the starting running back role following the departure of Najee Harris. He re-signed with Pittsburgh on April 22, 2025, on a one-year restricted free agent tender worth $5.3 million. On September 1, 2025, he signed a two-year contract extension through the 2027 season. Early in the season, Warren battled a knee injury but returned to deliver several standout performances, including a 158-scupmage-yard game against the Cincinnati Bengals and a 143-yard, two-touchdown effort versus the Detroit Lions.
Driving Style and Strengths
Warren possesses a low center of gravity at 5-foot-8 and 215 pounds, allowing him to excel in tight spaces and navigate through traffic. His vision, patience, and ability to find creases make him effective in the Steelers’ offensive system. He has developed into a reliable dual-threat option, catching 167 passes for 1,227 yards in his NFL career. His partnership with various coordinators has helped maximize his skill set as both a runner and receiver.
Notable Events and Milestones
Warren’s career has been defined by steady progression. He broke a 37-year Utah state rushing record in high school, earned NJCAA National Offensive Player of the Year honors, and became a consistent NFL contributor. His first 100-yard rushing game in 2023 and first 1,000-yard rushing season in 2025 represent significant career milestones. As the unquestioned starter in Pittsburgh, Warren continues to build his reputation as one of the league’s more reliable all-purpose backs.
Jaylen Warren Career Wins
Warren has accumulated significant production across his three NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His career totals include 2,632 rushing yards on 556 carries with 12 rushing touchdowns. He has also contributed 167 receptions for 1,227 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. His 4.7 yards-per-carry average reflects his efficiency as a runner.
NFL Highlights
Warren’s most productive season came in 2025 when he recorded 958 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns to go along with 333 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. His standout performances included a 143-yard, two-touchdown game against the Detroit Lions and multiple 100-yard rushing performances throughout the season. His 2023 season saw him rush for 789 yards while catching 61 passes, demonstrating his value as a receiving threat out of the backfield.
College Achievements
At the collegiate level, Warren was named NJCAA National Offensive Player of the Year in 2018 after rushing for 1,435 yards in nine games at Snow College. At Oklahoma State in 2021, he earned Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors after compiling 1,216 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. His career college totals exceed 3,400 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns across three programs.
| Competition Level | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Receptions | Receiving Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2022-2025) | 2,632 | 12 | 167 | 1,227 |
| College (2017-2021) | 3,400+ | 26+ | N/A | N/A |
Jaylen Warren Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Warren is of partial Samoan descent. He comes from a football family, as he is a cousin of former NFL running back Willie Parker. Parker, who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2004 to 2009, also signed with the team as an undrafted free agent and went on to become a productive NFL player. This family connection to the Steelers organization added extra significance to Warren’s signing with Pittsburgh in 2022.
Personal Life
Warren continues to reside in Pennsylvania during the NFL season. He maintains a presence on social media with an Instagram account where he connects with fans. Information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children has not been made publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a turning point in Warren’s career as he ascended to the role of starting running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Following Najee Harris’ departure in the offseason, Warren entered training camp as the clear favorite for the starting position and outperformed Kenneth Gainwell and rookie Kaleb Johnson to secure the role. His re-signing in April for $5.3 million and subsequent two-year extension through 2027 demonstrated the organization’s commitment to him as a foundational piece of the offense.
Warren faced an early challenge when a knee injury ruled him out for Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland. He returned after Pittsburgh’s bye week and quickly returned to form. His standout performance came in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions, where he carried 14 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns in a critical 29-24 victory. He also delivered a 158-scrummage-yard performance on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7. Warren finished the season with 958 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground, plus 333 receiving yards and two touchdowns through the air.
The Steelers positioned Warren as the centerpiece of their ground game heading into the final stretch of the season. With his contract extension secured through 2027, Warren has established himself as a long-term solution at running back for a franchise known for its commitment to the running game. His blend of toughness, vision, and receiving ability makes him a versatile fit for Pittsburgh’s offensive approach under head coach Mike Tomlin.