By: Jeremy T. Ballreich
Few players in this draft class have taken a more winding, resilient, and quietly impressive path to the NFL than Chip Trayanum, the Toledo running back whose career arc spans blue‑chip recruiting hype, position changes, Big Ten battles, and finally a breakout season that reintroduced him as one of the most rugged, and efficient runners in the country. Trayanum arrives in the league as a mature, physically imposing back with real three‑down potential and a professional mindset forged through adversity.
Trayanum’s story begins long before Toledo. A highly regarded recruit, he opened his college career at Arizona State, flashing early as a downhill, power‑based runner with surprising burst. When he transferred to Ohio State, the Buckeyes’ depth chart and team needs pushed him into a hybrid linebacker role — a testament to his athleticism, toughness, and willingness to do whatever the team required. But the move also delayed his development as a full‑time running back. When he returned to offense, he showed flashes, but never the consistent workload needed to showcase his full skill set.
That changed in Toledo. The Rockets gave him the ball, gave him a role, and gave him the runway to remind evaluators why he was once considered one of the most physically gifted backs in his recruiting class. Trayanum responded with the best football of his career, emerging as a violent, decisive runner who thrives on contact but also brings enough athletic nuance to create beyond what’s blocked.
At 5’11” and around 230 pounds, Trayanum looks like an NFL running back the moment he steps off the bus. His frame is dense and powerful, built for the wear‑and‑tear of pro workloads. But he’s not just a bruiser. His lower‑body explosiveness shows up in his ability to accelerate through tight creases, bounce off glancing blows, and finish runs with authority. He runs with a low center of gravity, consistently falling forward and turning routine carries into chain‑moving gains.
Trayanum’s running style is defined by decisiveness and violence. He hits holes with conviction, rarely dancing or hesitating. His footwork is efficient — one cut, get vertical, deliver punishment. He’s the type of back who forces defenses to tackle him for four quarters, and by the second half, his physicality becomes a problem. Linebackers bounce. Safeties absorb collisions rather than deliver them. He’s a tone‑setter, the kind of runner who changes the temperature of a game.
But Trayanum isn’t just a straight‑line hammer. His time on defense sharpened his understanding of run fits and pursuit angles, and it shows in his ability to manipulate second‑level defenders. He presses the line well, uses subtle tempo changes to widen creases, and has enough lateral agility to sidestep penetration. He’s not a jitterbug, but he’s far from stiff. His short‑area quickness is underrated, and his ability to re‑accelerate after redirecting is one of the more appealing traits in his profile.
In the passing game, Trayanum brings two valuable components: reliable hands and excellent pass protection. His experience as a linebacker gives him a natural feel for diagnosing pressure, and he’s one of the more technically sound blockers in the class. He squares up, anchors well, and delivers a firm punch. That alone will get him on the field early in his NFL career. As a receiver, he’s functional — not a route technician, but dependable on swings, checkdowns, and screens. He catches cleanly and transitions upfield with purpose.
The biggest question for Trayanum is ceiling. He’s a powerful, efficient runner, but he’s not a home‑run hitter. His long speed is adequate, not threatening. He wins with physicality, vision, and consistency rather than explosive playmaking. Some teams may view him as more of a committee back than a true feature option. Additionally, while his mileage is relatively low, his positional journey means he’s still refining some of the finer points of running back play — particularly patience and advanced setup techniques.
Still, the floor here is extremely appealing. Trayanum projects as a high‑end RB2 with the potential to handle RB1 workloads in stretches. He fits best in downhill, gap‑scheme offenses that value physicality and north‑south efficiency, but he’s versatile enough to function in zone concepts as well. His pass protection and short‑yardage value give him immediate utility, and his professional demeanor will resonate with coaches.
Projection: Round 5–6 Role: Physical rotational back with three‑down utility and RB1 spot‑start potential Scheme Fits: Gap/power, downhill zone, physical run identities
Chip Trayanum isn’t the flashiest back in the class, but he’s one of the most dependable. He’s built for NFL football — mentally, physically, and stylistically. And for teams searching for a tough, reliable, tone‑setting runner, he’s going to be one of the best value picks on Day 3.
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