​Over the past several months, we’ve been breaking down every undrafted free agent signed by the Jets, and today we continue with former Toledo running back Chip Trayanum. The 24-year-old Trayanum stands 5’10” and weighs 224 pounds, and his football journey has taken him from Arizona State to Ohio State and Kentucky before he exploded for a thousand-yard season at Toledo last year, which earned him first-team All-MAC honors.
Background Trayanum arrived on the college scene as a four-star recruit out of high school and began at Arizona State. He showed promise as a true freshman, piling up 290 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns across four games, but chose to redshirt the season due to the pandemic-shortened schedule. In the following year, he started three games but saw his role diminish after a couple of costly fumbles, finishing with 402 yards and six touchdowns in nine games.
At the end of that season, Trayanum transferred to Ohio State, where he initially was moved to linebacker. He totaled 13 tackles in that role before transitioning back to running back late in the season. He finished with 92 rushing yards, with the standout performance coming against Michigan, where he gained 83 yards on 14 carries.
In 2023, he returned to running back full-time and functioned in a rotational capacity, starting three games. He accumulated 373 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and he also contributed as a receiver, hauling in nine catches after entering the season with just six receptions.
The 2024 season found Trayanum at Kentucky, where injuries limited him to three appearances and 101 rushing yards. Then came 2025, when he transferred once more and finally got a true chance to shine at Toledo. There, he rushed for 1,015 yards and 12 touchdowns, complementing that production with 21 receptions for 212 yards and two more scores.
Despite earning an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl and delivering a solid pro day performance, Trayanum went undrafted in April. He was among the first wave of undrafted free agents signed by the Jets, and reports indicate his contract includes $195,000 in guaranteed money, a notable departure from earlier impressions that he had no guarantees.
Now, turning to a more analytical view of what Trayanum can bring to the Jets, based on extensive scouting and film study.
Measurables and athletic testing Trayanum projects with solid size and a well-rounded athletic profile. His workout numbers reinforce that: a 37-inch vertical jump, 27 bench press repetitions, a 4.52-second 40-yard dash, and strong agility metrics. These figures support his potential value as a versatile runner who can handle a traditional backfield workload and contribute in space when needed. His blend of size and athleticism suggests he can withstand the physicality of a pro-style rushing role and still have some juice as a short-area mover.
Usage and positional versatility In college, Trayanum has mostly operated as a traditional running back rather than a receiver from the slot. He has not been deployed heavily as a pass-catching option out wide. His production has been concentrated in a straightforward backfield role, where he can hit gaps between the tackles and use his vision to find daylight. Notably, he spent a year playing linebacker, and in high school he lined up at linebacker as well as safety and cornerback. This background hints at a willingness and a capacity to contribute on special teams or provide depth at multiple spots if needed, which can be valuable in a Jets roster that emphasizes flexible, multiple-role players.
Professional fit and potential role with the Jets Given his size, athleticism, and varied background, Trayanum could present a useful depth piece for the Jets’ backfield, with the potential to contribute on offense as a traditional power back and to help on special teams. His willingness to transition between positions in college suggests he could be coached to fit into a more scheme-specific role in the pros, whether that means operating as a north-south inside runner, contributing in limited-spread looks, or providing depth at linebacker or on special teams in practice and games.
In summary, Chip Trayanum comes with a combination of size, athletic testing, and a multi-position background that makes him a versatile candidate for the Jets’ undrafted free agent cohort. His production at Toledo, highlighted by a 1,000-yard season and 12 rushing touchdowns, demonstrates his capability as a productive back when given a substantial workload. If he can translate his college success to the professional level and carve out a role on special teams while contributing as a rotational back, Trayanum could develop into a meaningful addition for the Jets.