Chip Trayanum
Chip Trayanum is a rookie running back for the New York Jets, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2026 after a 1,000-yard season at Toledo. He suffered a neck injury in the preseason finale against the Giants and was placed on reserve/injured before the cut to 53.
Background & Path to the Jets
Born DeaMonte Larue Trayanum, he took one of the more winding routes to the NFL of anyone in the Jets’ 2026 rookie class, playing at four schools across six seasons and changing position along the way.
He began at Arizona State in 2020, where he saw time at linebacker before settling at running back, and ran for 692 yards and 10 touchdowns on 127 carries across two seasons. He transferred to Ohio State for 2022 and 2023, finishing 2023 as the Buckeyes’ second-leading rusher with 373 yards and three touchdowns on 85 carries in 12 games. A move to Kentucky for 2024 was derailed by a broken hand suffered before the season, limiting him to three appearances and 19 carries.
The breakout came last, at Toledo in 2025, where he ran for more than 1,000 yards and earned first-team All-MAC recognition. He went undrafted in 2026 and signed with the Jets, arriving at 24 as one of the older rookies in camp.
Career Statistics
| Seasons | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2020–2021 | Arizona State | 127 carries, 692 yards, 10 TD; also saw time at linebacker |
| 2022–2023 | Ohio State | 2023: 85 carries, 373 yards, 3 TD in 12 games; second-leading rusher |
| 2024 | Kentucky | 3 games, 19 carries, 101 yards; season disrupted by a broken hand |
| 2025 | Toledo | 1,000-yard season; first-team All-MAC |
Current Status
Trayanum was placed on reserve/injured on 30 August 2026 with a neck injury and, because the move came before the cut to 53 and he was not designated to return, he is ineligible to play in the 2026 regular season.
He was hurt on the final play before halftime against the Giants and left on a stretcher. The Jets said he was awake, alert and had movement in his lower extremities before going to the hospital, and head coach Aaron Glenn said he expected Trayanum to be “just fine.” The club has not released a diagnosis or a return timetable.
The injury came in the middle of his strongest showing. He carried the ball on all but one play of the Jets’ opening scoring drive that night and finished his preseason with 21 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown. Full detail is in our report on the six Giants-game injuries and our guide to NFL injured reserve.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Chip Trayanum?
Chip Trayanum is a rookie running back for the New York Jets, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2026 after rushing for over 1,000 yards at Toledo and earning first-team All-MAC honors.
What happened to Chip Trayanum against the Giants?
He suffered a neck injury on the final play before halftime and left on a stretcher. The Jets said he was awake, alert and had movement in his lower extremities before being taken to the hospital.
Can Chip Trayanum play in the 2026 season?
No. He was placed on reserve/injured before the cut to 53 without a designation to return, which rules him out for the regular season.
Which colleges did Chip Trayanum play for?
Four: Arizona State, Ohio State, Kentucky and Toledo. He began as a linebacker at Arizona State before becoming a full-time running back.