Running back evaluations often come down to role clarity rather than star projection, particularly for players whose value is tied to vision, versatility, and physicality instead of top-end speed.
We are going to be covering every position in the draft, and not every prospect enters the league as a draft selection. At running back, many professional opportunities begin during the off-season prep leading up to the NFL Draft or after the draft, where players with defined traits and functional versatility can earn roles through camp and preseason competition.
For this report, we will be discussing a running back. With that in mind, here is my report on Chip Trayanum.
Information
Chip Trayanum
Background Tag: Physical, patient runner with multi-program experience
School: Toledo
Conference: MAC
Height/Weight: 5-11, 227 lbs
Age when Drafted: N/A
Previous Schools: Ohio State, Arizona State, Kentucky
All-Star Game: Shrine Bowl
Background
- 2024 season at Kentucky was cut short due to injury after three games, leading him to seek a fresh opportunity the following year
- Multi-year collegiate contributor with experience across four FBS programs
- Former four-star recruit who began his career at Arizona State
- Played both running back and linebacker earlier in his college career
- Earned rotational roles at Ohio State and Kentucky before transferring to Toledo
- First team ALL-MAC in 2025
Notable Stats
Career Totals (multiple programs):
Rushing Yards: 1,258
Rushing Touchdowns: 13
Usage Notes:
- Primarily used in shotgun run concepts
- Involved in the passing game on screens, swings, and wheel routes
- Saw limited action during an injury-shortened 2024 season
Notable PFF Numbers
- 2025 (Toledo) Overall Grade: 73.1
- Rushing Grade: 79.1
- Receiving Grade: 73.6
- Pass Blocking Grade: 62.7
- Total Offensive Snaps: 207
- Missed Tackles Forced: 26
- Yards After Contact per Attempt: 1.25
Multi-School Context:
- His Ohio State peak rushing grades consistently in the mid-to-high 70s
- Arizona State seasons show strong tackle-breaking efficiency but a limited offensive role
- Pass protection grades remained functional but inconsistent across stops
Skills
- Patient runner who allows blocks to develop and shows discipline in his reads
- Displays a controlled sidestep and subtle footwork when navigating traffic
- Effective at identifying cutback lanes on zone concepts
- Comfortable operating from shotgun alignments with underneath handoffs
- Not a true breakaway runner, but consistently finds efficient paths
- Flashes a short-area burst in the red zone when pressing the outer edge of the line.
- Willing participant in pass protection, though it’s not always a well-aimed block
- More effective at delivering an initial strike in pass protection than sustaining blocks
- Competes with physicality and effort on every play
Player Summary
Chip Trayanum profiles as a physical, assignment-sound running back whose game is built on patience, vision, and understanding of blocking structure rather than having explosive traits. His film shows a runner who remains composed before committing to his lane, consistently identifying creases and maximizing available space with quick lateral steps as he finds running lanes. While he lacks second-level speed on tape, he compensates by staying efficient and avoiding negative plays.
In the passing game, Trayanum offers functional versatility. He is comfortable releasing into routes, contributing on screens, and serving as a check-down option. As a pass protector, he shows toughness and willingness, engaging defenders early to disrupt timing, even if he does not consistently anchor or sustain blocks against stronger rushers. Trayanum isn’t known for lining up as a slot receiver, but he has done a little of it in his career.
Overall, Trayanum projects as a player who will have to make the most of every opportunity he gets this offseason to showcase his talents ahead of the NFL Draft in April. His experience, physicality, and ability to handle multiple responsibilities give him value as a depth running back who can function within structured run schemes and contribute across situational packages without needing an offense built around his strengths.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: Chip Trayanum, RB, Toledo
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