Trystan Colon Bio
Trystan Colon (born March 23, 1998) is an American professional football center for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Tigers from 2016 to 2019. Colon entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and has since built a solid professional career spanning multiple teams, including the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals before joining the Detroit Lions in 2025. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 317 pounds, Colon brings size and experience to the offensive line position.
Early Life and Background
Trystan Colon was born in Webb City, Missouri, to Heriberto and Neysa Rosaria Colon. His mother moved from Puerto Rico to attend college at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, and his father followed shortly after. Tragedy struck when Trystan was just one year old, as his father died in a motor vehicle accident in Joplin. Despite this early hardship, Colon grew up in Webb City and developed a strong connection to his hometown community.
Colon attended Webb City High School, where he played for the Cardinals football team from 2013 to 2015. He was a three-year varsity player, serving as an offensive lineman. During his high school career, Colon was part of two class 4 state championship teams and one runner-up team. The Cardinals compiled an impressive overall record of 43-2 during his tenure, including a perfect 15-0 season in 2014. Beyond football, Colon also participated in basketball at Webb City High School.
Path to the NFL
After high school, Colon continued his football journey at the University of Missouri, where he played for the Missouri Tigers from 2016 to 2019. He redshirted his first season and then earned the team’s Lifter of the Year award. His success continued as a true freshman, when he started 13 games and earned a spot on the Southeastern Conference coaches’ All-Freshman squad. Colon also received the Team Underclassmen Leadership Award during this period.
Following his redshirt season, Colon became a consistent starter for the Tigers. He started the final 38 games of his three playing years. In his final two seasons (2018 and 2019), Colon started all 25 games. Unfortunately, the team was ineligible to participate in bowl games due to NCAA sanctions during those years. His collegiate career demonstrated durability and consistency, qualities that would serve him well in professional football.
Trystan Colon Career
Baltimore Ravens Era (2020-2022)
After not being selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, Colon signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens. He was waived during final roster cuts in September 2020 but was immediately re-signed to the practice squad. Colon was elevated to the active roster on October 10, 2020, for the week 5 game against the Cincinnati Bengals and returned to the practice squad afterward. His persistence paid off when he was promoted to the active roster on October 12, 2020.
Colon made his first career NFL start against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 2, 2020, a opportunity that arose partly due to a team-wide COVID-19 outbreak within the Ravens organization. The Ravens placed exclusive-rights free agent tenders on Colon in both March 2021 and March 2022. He signed a one-year contract with the team in April 2021. It was during this time that the Ravens officially began referring to him as Trystan Colon per his request, dropping the Castillo from his name. Colon played a total of 20 games across his three seasons with the Ravens from 2020 through 2022.
New York Jets (2023)
On March 22, 2023, Colon signed with the New York Jets as a free agent. His tenure with the Jets was brief, as he was waived on August 29, 2023, during roster reductions. This stint provided Colon with experience in a different conference and organizational culture, though the opportunity did not result in significant playing time.
Arizona Cardinals (2023-2024)
On August 30, 2023, Colon was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals. During the 2023 season, he appeared in 14 games, earning four starts, primarily at left guard. His versatility along the offensive line demonstrated his ability to play multiple positions when needed. On March 11, 2024, Colon signed a $1.75 million, one-year contract with the Cardinals, indicating the team valued his contributions and flexibility.
Detroit Lions Era (2025-Present)
On June 4, 2025, Colon signed with the Detroit Lions. He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts but was re-signed to the practice squad the following day. His persistence and performance earned him a promotion to the active roster on September 16, 2025. Colon made 12 appearances for Detroit during the 2025 regular season, including four starts at center. On January 3, 2026, he was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a wrist injury. Despite the injury setback, Colon demonstrated his value as a reliable depth piece and starter when called upon.
Playing Style and Strengths
Colon has established himself as a versatile offensive lineman capable of playing both center and guard positions. His college career at Missouri, where he started 38 consecutive games, showcased his durability and consistency. His ability to step in at multiple positions along the offensive line makes him a valuable asset for any team seeking depth and reliability. Colon’s experience in various systems with multiple teams has allowed him to adapt to different coaching styles and offensive schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Colon achieved the Freshman All-SEC Team honor in 2017 during his college career at Missouri, recognizing his early success as a true freshman. His first career start in the NFL came against the Pittsburgh Steelers in December 2020 during challenging circumstances with the Ravens facing a COVID-19 outbreak. Throughout his career, Colon has demonstrated resilience by bouncing back from being waived multiple times and earning roster spots through his performance and versatility.
Trystan Colon Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2020 to 2025, Colon has appeared in 63 games with 19 starts across his time with the Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, and Detroit Lions. His ability to contribute both as a starter and a reliable backup has kept him employed in the league for six seasons.
NFL Career Summary
Colon has built a reputation as a dependable journeyman in the NFL, playing for five different teams in six seasons. His experience with the Ravens (2020-2022), Jets (2023), Cardinals (2023-2024), and Lions (2025) has provided him with extensive knowledge of multiple offensive systems and coaching philosophies. His most productive season came with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, where he started four games and appeared in 14 total contests.
Trystan Colon Family
Family Background
Trystan Colon was born to Heriberto Eddie Colon and Neysa Rosaria Colon in Webb City, Missouri. His mother immigrated to the United States from Puerto Rico to pursue higher education at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin. His father followed her to Missouri but tragically passed away in a motor vehicle accident when Trystan was only one year old. This early adversity shaped Colon’s character and provided motivation throughout his football journey.
Personal Life
Colon has maintained connections to his roots in southwest Missouri while building his professional football career. He has previously been known as Trystan Colon-Castillo but officially changed his name to Trystan Colon during his time with the Baltimore Ravens. His mother Neysa Rosaria Colon played a significant role in his upbringing following the loss of his father. Colon continues to engage with fans through his Instagram account while focusing on his career in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season with the Detroit Lions represented a significant chapter in Colon’s career. After joining the team in June, he survived initial roster cuts and earned a spot on the practice squad before receiving a promotion to the active roster in September. Colon appeared in 12 games with four starts at center, demonstrating his reliability when called upon. His contributions helped provide depth along the Lions’ offensive line during a competitive season.
Unfortunately, the season ended on injured reserve for Colon, who suffered a wrist injury that required season-ending placement on January 3, 2026. Despite this setback, his ability to transition from the practice squad to the active roster and earn starting assignments showed his continued value in the league. The experience gained with the Lions, a franchise known for its strong offensive line tradition, positions Colon well for future opportunities as he recovers from injury.