Chris Collier Bio
Chris Collier (born March 24, 2000) is an American professional football running back for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing around 203 pounds, he wears jersey number 33 and serves as a contributor on offense and special teams. He previously spent time with the Baltimore Ravens after entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
Before reaching the NFL, Collier built his résumé across three college programs, beginning at Nassau Community College before moving to Wagner and finishing at Lock Haven. His lone season with the Lock Haven Bald Eagles in 2023 turned him into one of the most decorated running backs in NCAA Division II, eventually opening the door to professional football.
Early Life and Background
Chris Collier was born on March 24, 2000, and grew up in Lawrence, Nassau County, New York. He started playing football at age six, developing his skills in local youth programs before entering high school. The football culture of Long Island, combined with his early start in the sport, helped lay the foundation for his future as a running back.
He attended Lawrence High School in Cedarhurst, New York, where he played running back for the Golden Tornadoes. As a senior, he helped Lawrence compile a 10–2 record while rushing for more than 1,800 yards and 25 touchdowns. Despite those numbers, Collier received limited attention from college recruiters because he had suffered a knee injury the year before, which caused most major programs to lose interest. That setback pushed him toward the junior college route to keep his playing career alive.
Path to Professional Football
After high school, Collier enrolled at Nassau Community College to play for the Nassau Lions. He saw limited action as a fourth-string running back across two seasons, but he continued to progress physically and technically. In 2018, he totaled 78 rushing yards as a freshman, and in 2019 he added 270 rushing yards with a rushing touchdown while also catching five receiving touchdowns, finishing his Nassau tenure with 348 rushing yards, 184 receiving yards, and six total touchdowns in 16 games.
Collier then transferred to the NCAA Division I FCS Wagner Seahawks in 2020. He ran for 83 yards in two games during the COVID-19-shortened spring 2021 season and added 168 rushing yards in six games during the fall 2021 schedule. Concussion issues disrupted parts of his time at Wagner, including three concussions in a six-game stretch, but he returned to log 86 yards in three games during 2022 before deciding to move again.
Chris Collier Career
Early Career (2023)
Collier transferred to the NCAA Division II Lock Haven Bald Eagles for the 2023 season, and the change of scenery produced immediate results. Playing 11 games, he rushed for 1,393 yards and 12 touchdowns while also recording 22 receptions for 238 yards and three receiving touchdowns. He broke Lock Haven’s all-time single-season rushing yards record and helped the Bald Eagles post their best season since 1982.
His dominant 2023 campaign brought a wave of postseason recognition. Collier was a three-time PSAC player of the week and earned first-team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference honors. He was also named first-team Division II All-American, D2CCA second-team All-Region, a member of the DII Elite 100 team, and the PSAC Offensive Player of the Year. He was additionally nominated for the Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded to the top player in NCAA Division II.
NFL Breakthrough with the Baltimore Ravens (2024)
Entering the 2024 NFL process, Collier impressed at his pro day, running a 4.48-second 40-yard dash and posting a 6.78 three-cone drill, both better than any running back at that year’s NFL Scouting Combine. Despite that performance, he went unselected in the 2024 NFL draft and signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on a three-year, $2.8 million contract.
With Baltimore, Collier worked as a running back and kick returner during the preseason, recording 28 rushes for 104 yards and two receptions. He was waived on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was elevated to the active roster for the team’s Week 3 game against the Dallas Cowboys and made his NFL debut in the 28–25 win, appearing on one special teams snap. He became only the third Lock Haven alumnus ever to play in an NFL game, and the first since 1987.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2024–Present)
On November 20, 2024, Collier signed with the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on December 18, 2024, giving him his first extended full-time NFL opportunity. Across his rookie season, he appeared on special teams and in limited offensive roles while continuing to contribute as a returner.
On August 26, 2025, Collier was waived by the Raiders as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. On January 5, 2026, he signed a reserve/future contract with Las Vegas, keeping him with the organization heading into the next league year. Through his first NFL season, his career totals include 12 rushing yards and 286 return yards.
Driving Style and Strengths
Collier is a compact, patient runner whose game is built on vision, contact balance, and reliable hands out of the backfield. His pro day testing numbers suggested the burst and short-area quickness needed to play on third downs and in space, and his work as a kick returner has highlighted his open-field instincts.
Notable Events and Milestones
His most significant career milestone to date came on the kickoff coverage and return units for the Ravens in 2024, where he debuted as just the third Lock Haven alumnus to reach the NFL and the first since 1987. Breaking Lock Haven’s all-time single-season rushing record in 2023 and earning first-team Division II All-American recognition cemented his status as one of the most accomplished players in program history.
Chris Collier Career Highlights
Chris Collier’s career highlights begin with his record-setting 2023 season at Lock Haven, where he piled up 1,393 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 238 receiving yards and three scores through the air. He followed that by earning first-team Division II All-American, PSAC Offensive Player of the Year, and a Harlon Hill Trophy nomination, becoming one of the most honored Division II running backs in the country.
NFL Highlights
Collier made his NFL debut in Week 3 of the 2024 season with the Baltimore Ravens against the Dallas Cowboys, appearing on one special teams snap in a 28–25 win. He later added kick-return duties, returning two kickoffs for 22 yards in Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was promoted to the Las Vegas Raiders’ active roster in December 2024 and secured a reserve/future contract in January 2026.
Other Performances
Earlier in his career, Collier was a productive high school senior at Lawrence, rushing for more than 1,800 yards and 25 touchdowns on a 10–2 team. Across his stops at Nassau Community College and Wagner, he steadily built the resume that would eventually lead to his breakout senior year and NFL opportunity.
Chris Collier Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Chris Collier was raised in Lawrence, Nassau County, New York, where his family supported his early involvement in football starting at age six. Public details about his parents and siblings are limited, and Collier has generally kept his family life out of the spotlight as he has progressed through college and the NFL ranks.
Personal Life
Collier is known publicly by his nickname “Carisma,” reflected in his social media handles, and he splits his time between his football obligations with the Las Vegas Raiders and his roots on Long Island. He remains focused on building his professional career and continuing his development as an NFL running back and returner.
2025 Season Performance
Chris Collier entered the 2025 season as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders organization, working to carve out a consistent role on offense and special teams. His preseason was highlighted by a strong showing as both a runner and a kick returner, which earned him a spot on the practice squad after final cuts on August 26, 2025.
Through the regular season, Collier continued to develop as a depth running back and core special teams player. He provided value on kick coverage units and as a returner option, using his Division II pedigree and pro day testing numbers to compete for additional snaps.
Looking ahead, Collier signed a reserve/future contract with the Raiders on January 5, 2026, locking in his place with the team into the next league year. His combination of return ability, short-yardage toughness, and special teams reliability gives him a clear path to push for a larger offensive role in the seasons ahead.