In the high-stakes world of professional football, where first-round picks and five-star recruits often dominate headlines, Jaylen Warren represents one of the NFL's most improbable success stories. The Pittsburgh Steelers running back, who recently signed a two-year contract extension worth nearly $17.5 million, began his collegiate journey at Snow College, a junior college in Ephraim, Utah—about as far from the NFL spotlight as one could imagine.
Warren's path to professional success wasn't just unlikely—it was nearly unprecedented. As the Steelers solidify his position as their lead back heading into the 2025 season, his journey offers a masterclass in perseverance, adaptation, and seizing opportunities that others might have overlooked.
Breaking Records Before the Journey Began
Before examining his college odyssey, it's worth noting that Warren's football story begins with remarkable achievement. At East High School in Salt Lake City, he shattered Utah's 37-year-old single-season rushing record with an astounding 3,099 yards, becoming the first player in state history to break the 3,000-yard mark. Warren's 38 rushing touchdowns and 14 consecutive 100+ yard games helped lead the Leopards to a perfect 14-0 season and a Class 4A state championship.
Despite these eye-popping numbers, Warren was largely overlooked in the recruiting process, landing just a two-star rating from major scouting services. This initial setback would establish a pattern that would follow him throughout his career—exceeding expectations at every level despite being continually underestimated.
The Snow College Foundation: Building From the Ground Up
When Warren arrived at Snow College in 2017, coaches described him as a little "pudgy" and in need of conditioning. The coaching staff presented him with a challenge: get in shape, and your future might change considerably. Warren embraced this opportunity, and his transformation began.
At Snow, Warren developed the foundation of the running style that would eventually earn him NFL attention. Over 20 games spanning 2017-2018, he accumulated 2,451 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. His sophomore season was particularly impressive, as he led all junior college players with 1,435 rushing yards while finishing second with 15 touchdowns and an 8.6 yards-per-carry average.
These performances earned Warren NJCAA Offensive Player of the Year honors and first-team All-American selection. He was also named the final Western States Football League Offensive Player of the Year before the conference dissolved. Despite these accolades, Warren remained a relative unknown in the broader college football landscape, earning just a three-star rating as the fourth-best JUCO running back in his class when he committed to Utah State.
The Stepping Stones: Utah State and Oklahoma State
Warren's time at Utah State showed flashes of what was to come. Over two seasons (2019-2020), he rushed for 821 yards and eight touchdowns on 151 carries while adding 20 receptions for 215 yards. His academic performance matched his on-field contributions, as he was twice named Academic All-Mountain West Conference.
While these numbers were solid, they didn't scream "future NFL starter." Warren recognized he needed a bigger platform to showcase his abilities, so he transferred to Oklahoma State for his final collegiate season in 2021.
In Stillwater, Warren finally got the opportunity to display his full potential. Starting 12 of 14 games, he rushed for 1,216 yards and 11 touchdowns, adding 25 receptions for 225 yards. His breakout performance came against Boise State, where he rushed for 218 yards and two touchdowns, including a 75-yard scoring run.
Warren's senior season earned him Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year honors from the conference coaches, and his teammates voted him a captain despite it being his only season with the program. His 1,216 rushing yards ranked 19th in Oklahoma State history for a single season, and he was one of seven finalists for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.
The Ultimate Underdog: Going Undrafted
Despite this impressive final collegiate season, Warren went unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft. The pattern of being overlooked continued, but it didn't deter him. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Warren as an undrafted free agent, and his NFL journey began with the same challenge he faced at Snow College: prove the doubters wrong.
Steelers coaches quickly realized they might have found a diamond in the rough. Warren's training camp and preseason performances were eye-catching enough that he not only made the 53-man roster but began earning meaningful playing time behind first-round pick Najee Harris.
The Steeler Way: Grinding From the Bottom
Warren's NFL career began modestly. In his rookie season, he served primarily as a change-of-pace back, showing flashes of potential with his burst, vision, and especially his pass protection skills. Over his first three seasons in Pittsburgh, Warren steadily increased his role and production without ever starting a game:
| Season | Games | Rush Attempts | Rush Yards | Avg | TDs | Receptions | Rec Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 16 | 77 | 379 | 4.9 | 1 | 28 | 214 |
| 2023 | 17 | 149 | 784 | 5.3 | 4 | 61 | 370 |
| 2024 | 15 | 120 | 511 | 4.3 | 1 | 38 | 310 |
| Career | 48 | 346 | 1,674 | 4.8 | 6 | 127 | 894 |
What these statistics don't fully capture is Warren's impact as a blocker. Despite his relatively small stature (5'8", 215 pounds), he quickly gained a reputation as one of the NFL's most fearless and effective pass-protecting running backs. This skill, often overlooked by fans but highly valued by coaches, helped Warren stay on the field in critical situations and earn the trust of the Steelers coaching staff.
Breaking Through: 2023's Glimpse of the Future
The 2023 season offered a preview of Warren's capabilities as a lead back. In Weeks 11-12, with Najee Harris still the nominal starter, Warren posted back-to-back 100-yard rushing games against the Packers (15 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD) and Browns (9 carries, 129 yards, 1 TD). His 74-yard touchdown against Cleveland showcased the big-play ability that had been evident since his college days.
These performances raised questions about whether Warren should take over as Pittsburgh's primary running back, but the Steelers maintained their committee approach. Still, it was becoming increasingly clear that Warren offered a different dimension to the offense with his explosiveness and efficiency.
The Contract Extension: From Undrafted to Undeniable
When the Steelers declined Najee Harris's fifth-year option and eventually allowed him to leave for the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency, the message became clear: Warren would get his opportunity to lead the backfield in 2025. Pittsburgh reinforced this commitment by signing Warren to a two-year extension on September 1, 2025, just days before the season opener.
The contract details reveal how far Warren has come: the extension includes $12 million in guaranteed money and could be worth up to $17.5 million over three years. For a player who went undrafted just three years earlier, this represents not just financial security but organizational validation.
"It's a great feeling knowing they have my back," Warren said after signing the extension. "I'm going to do what I can to have their back."
Warren's average annual salary of approximately $5.8 million places him around 18th among NFL running backs—a remarkable achievement for someone who began his collegiate career at a junior college and went undrafted. The contract also carries symbolic weight for Warren and other junior college players.
"Everyone who goes to JuCo, this is what they dream about, being in a situation like mine," Warren noted. "And so I hope I can be the one they look up to when you're in those hard situations in JuCo."
The 2025 Season and Beyond: The Next Chapter
With Aaron Rodgers under center and a revamped offensive approach, the Steelers' 2025 season presents Warren with his greatest opportunity yet. Through the first five weeks, Warren has accumulated 311 rushing yards on 70 carries while adding 16 receptions. He scored his first touchdown of the season in a Week 1 victory over the Jets, catching a 4-yard pass from Rodgers to help secure a narrow 34-32 win.
While rookie third-round pick Kaleb Johnson and veteran Kenneth Gainwell provide depth in the backfield, Warren has firmly established himself as the Steelers' lead back. His versatility as a runner, receiver, and pass protector makes him a three-down option in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's system, which emphasizes a strong ground game to complement the passing attack.
The ultimate question now becomes whether Warren can maintain his efficiency with an increased workload. His career 4.8 yards per carry suggests he has the ability, but durability concerns linger for a player of his size taking on a full-time role. The addition of Johnson, a more traditional power back at 6'1" and 224 pounds, provides Pittsburgh with insurance and a potential thunder-and-lightning combination.
The Snow College Legacy: Inspiration for the Overlooked
Warren's journey represents more than just personal achievement—it offers a blueprint and inspiration for other overlooked players, particularly those at the junior college level. For context, the list of junior college running backs who have earned second contracts in the NFL is remarkably short. Warren now joins this exclusive group, proving that talent can emerge from any background.
His former coach at Snow College, Paul Peterson, once described Warren as "a diamond in the rough who just needed the right polishing." That polishing happened at three different colleges, each providing Warren with different challenges and opportunities to develop aspects of his game. The diversity of these experiences—from the humbling beginnings at Snow to the big stage at Oklahoma State—has seemingly prepared Warren for the ultimate test of leading an NFL backfield.
Conclusion: The Journey Continues
Jaylen Warren's path from Snow College to NFL starter embodies the perseverance required to overcome repeatedly being overlooked. At each stage of his journey—from high school to junior college to multiple Division I programs to going undrafted—Warren could have accepted the limitations others placed on him. Instead, he consistently proved his worth through production, determination, and a willingness to excel in unglamorous aspects of the game like pass protection.
As Warren steps into the spotlight as the Steelers' lead back in 2025, his contract extension represents more than financial security—it's validation of his unique journey. For every junior college player grinding through early morning workouts in relative obscurity, Warren's story offers tangible proof that the path to professional success doesn't always follow a straight line.
From the obscurity of Snow College to the Sunday spotlight of the NFL, Jaylen Warren has arrived—on his own terms and in his own way. And for the Pittsburgh Steelers, that journey might just be getting started.
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaylen_Warren
- https://www.steelers.com/team/players-roster/jaylen-warren/
- https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46128418/steelers-starting-rb-jaylen-warren-signs-2-year-extension
- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25243729-jaylen-warren-steelers-agree-new-contract-latest-salary-cap-2025-nfl-season
- https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news/pittsburgh-steelers-sign-jaylen-warren-two-year-extension
- https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/pittsburgh-steelers-commentary/157698/steelers-jaylen-warren-extension-contract-extension-grade-running-back-kaleb-johnson