Aaron Shampklin Bio
Aaron Shampklin (born October 18, 1999) is an American professional football running back who has spent time across the National Football League, the United States Football League, and the Canadian Football League. He played college football at Harvard University, where he earned two First-team All-Ivy League selections. As an undrafted free agent in 2022, he began a journeyman professional career that has included stints with the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Gamblers, Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, and Montreal Alouettes.
Early Life and Background
Aaron Shampklin was born on October 18, 1999, in Paramount, California. He grew up in the greater Los Angeles area and attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, California, a program long known for producing college and professional football talent. At Long Beach Poly, Shampklin developed the running back skills that would later earn him a chance at the Ivy League level.
Standing 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) and listed around 195 lb (88 kg), Shampklin entered Harvard in 2017. He later graduated with a degree in economics, balancing academic responsibilities with a demanding football schedule in one of the country’s most competitive academic environments.
Path to American Football
Shampklin’s path to professional football began at Harvard, where he joined the Crimson as a freshman in 2017. He scored his first collegiate touchdown against Rhode Island and finished the year with 363 rushing yards and three touchdowns, offering an early sign of his workload potential. As a sophomore in 2018, he played all 10 games and broke out with a career-high 178 rushing yards and four touchdowns against San Diego. He closed that season with 1,053 rushing yards on 173 carries and nine touchdowns, earning First-team All-Ivy League honors.
A knee injury kept him out in 2019, and the Ivy League canceled the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, costing Shampklin two full years of development. He returned in 2021 and rushed for 835 yards and 11 touchdowns, securing a second First-team All-Ivy League selection and positioning himself for the 2022 NFL draft.
Aaron Shampklin Career
Early Career (2022)
After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft, Shampklin signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2022. He was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2022, and released a few days later on September 2, a brief first stop that nonetheless kept his professional hopes alive.
On December 20, 2022, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts practice squad and converted that opportunity into a reserve/futures contract on January 9, 2023. His time in Indianapolis ended on May 2, 2023, when he was released, sending him in search of a new league and roster.
Houston Gamblers (2023)
Shampklin signed with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL on May 18, 2023, marking his first regular playing time as a professional. Across three games with the Gamblers, he carried the ball 12 times for 52 rushing yards before being released on August 1, 2023. The spring league gave him live game reps during a year when NFL opportunities were limited.
Los Angeles Chargers (2023)
On August 15, 2023, Shampklin signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, returning to the NFL just before the regular season. He was waived on August 29, 2023, as the Chargers trimmed toward their final roster. The short stint reflected the narrow margins undrafted running backs face during cutdown days.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024–2025)
Shampklin signed a reserve/futures contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 17, 2024. He was waived on August 27, re-signed to the practice squad on September 4, and elevated to the active roster ahead of Pittsburgh’s Week 4 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, where he made his NFL debut. He recorded his first NFL rushing attempts during the 2024 season, finishing the year with 6 rushing attempts for 17 yards, 0 receptions, and 0 touchdowns. He was released on October 28, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad the same day.
On January 14, 2025, Shampklin signed a reserve/future contract with Pittsburgh, securing another opportunity to compete for a roster spot. On May 12, 2025, the Steelers released him, closing his longest NFL tenure.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 5 ft 10 in and around 195 lb, Shampklin fits the compact, between-the-tackles running back mold. His Ivy League film shows patience at the line of scrimmage, a willingness to finish runs through contact, and the kind of special teams reliability that helps undrafted backs stay employed. His career 1,888 collegiate rushing yards and 20 touchdowns highlight consistent production despite two lost seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
His signature moments include the 178-yard, four-touchdown performance against San Diego in 2018 and a return from a lost 2020 season to lead Harvard with 835 rushing yards and 11 scores in 2021. Making his NFL debut in Week 4 of the 2024 season with the Steelers stands as the headline milestone of his professional career.
Aaron Shampklin Career Wins
Aaron Shampklin’s professional record does not include any verified wins credited to him as a primary statistical category. His career NFL totals reflect limited regular-season opportunities, while his college ledger features multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons and 20 rushing touchdowns for the Harvard Crimson.
Harvard Crimson Highlights
Across five college seasons, Shampklin finished with 1,053 rushing yards in 2018 and 835 rushing yards in 2021. He was named First-team All-Ivy League in both 2018 and 2021, becoming one of the most decorated Harvard running backs of his era. His first collegiate touchdown came against Rhode Island in 2017, while his most recent season saw him deliver double-digit rushing touchdowns as a fifth-year senior.
Other Wins & Performances
In the USFL with the Houston Gamblers in 2023, Shampklin appeared in three games and recorded 52 rushing yards on 12 carries. His NFL career totals stand at 6 rushing attempts for 17 yards across his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024.
Aaron Shampklin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available verified information about Aaron Shampklin’s parents and extended family is limited. His upbringing in Paramount, California, and his attendance at Long Beach Polytechnic High School shaped his early football development alongside peers from one of the most recognized high school programs in the country.
Personal Life
Aaron Shampklin graduated from Harvard University with a degree in economics, an academic distinction that separates him from many professional running backs. Public records do not confirm a spouse or children at this stage of his life.
2025 Season Performance
Shampklin opened 2025 on a reserve/future contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, continuing his bid to earn a roster spot after a 2024 debut season. On May 12, 2025, the Steelers released him, ending his second stint with the organization.
On August 11, 2025, he signed with the Miami Dolphins, briefly returning to an NFL active roster. He was waived on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts, again finding himself on the open market at the end of preseason.
On December 18, 2025, Shampklin signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, opening a new chapter north of the border. On April 7, 2026, he was placed on the retired list, closing out his professional football career across multiple leagues.