Colby Wooden Bio
Colby Wooden (born December 21, 2000) is an American professional football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football at Auburn University, he was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL Draft. As of 2026, he plays for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League.
Listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 273 pounds, Wooden has developed into a depth contributor along the defensive line, working primarily as an interior pass rusher and run defender. His career path from a three-star high school recruit to an NFL fourth-round pick reflects steady development through the Auburn program before his transition to the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Colby Wooden was born on December 21, 2000, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and raised in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He attended Archer High School in Lawrenceville, where he played on the defensive line and emerged as one of the top interior prospects in the state.
As a senior, Wooden was named the GHSA Region 8-AAAAA Defensive Player of the Year by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, an award that highlighted his production as an interior pass rusher. He was rated as a three-star recruit by national scouting services and was regarded as a projectable college defensive tackle.
Coming out of high school, Wooden committed to play college football at Auburn University over an offer from Clemson. His decision to join the Southeastern Conference program set the stage for his development as a professional prospect.
Path to American Football
Wooden’s path to the NFL began with his recruitment to Auburn, where he signed as part of the Tigers’ 2019 class. He joined a defensive line room known for producing NFL talent, and the move gave him the opportunity to develop against top-tier competition in the Southeastern Conference.
His first season at Auburn was disrupted when he missed significant time after contracting mononucleosis, limiting him to three games and four tackles. The setback forced Wooden to take a redshirt year, and he used the extra development time to add strength and refine his technique along the interior.
Following his redshirt year, Wooden returned to the field and progressively increased his production across multiple seasons. His growth as a pass rusher and run defender at Auburn ultimately positioned him as a mid-round NFL Draft prospect.
Colby Wooden Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Wooden’s early career at Auburn was defined by gradual development after his redshirt freshman season. Following his limited freshman year, he finished his redshirt freshman campaign with 42 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks, establishing himself as a reliable interior presence for the Tigers’ defense.
As a redshirt sophomore, Wooden continued to produce, recording 61 tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. After that season, he considered entering the 2022 NFL Draft but opted to return to Auburn for his redshirt junior year, a decision that allowed him to further polish his draft stock.
Green Bay Packers Era (2023–2025)
Wooden was selected in the fourth round, 116th overall, by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL Draft. He signed his rookie contract on May 5, 2023, and joined a young Green Bay defensive line that was undergoing a transition phase under the team’s defensive coaching staff.
During his time with the Packers, Wooden worked primarily as a rotational defensive tackle, contributing on early downs and in pass-rush packages. Through the 2025 season, he recorded 87 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 3 pass deflections, statistics that reflected his role as a depth piece and run defender rather than a primary pass rusher.
His Green Bay tenure concluded when the franchise moved in a different direction along the defensive line, setting the stage for a change of scenery early in 2026.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2026–Present)
On March 11, 2026, Wooden was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for linebacker Zaire Franklin. The trade gave Indianapolis additional interior defensive line depth as the Colts reshaped their defensive front.
Wearing jersey number 96, Wooden joined an Indianapolis defense that was in the midst of a roster overhaul. His role with the Colts is expected to mirror his Green Bay responsibilities, focusing on run defense and rotational pass-rush snaps along the interior line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Colby Wooden’s career is his selection as the 116th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, a milestone that confirmed his status as a draftable prospect after three productive seasons at Auburn. His GHSA Region 8-AAAAA Defensive Player of the Year award as a high school senior is another signature accomplishment, while his March 2026 trade to the Indianapolis Colts marks the most significant transaction of his professional career to date.
Colby Wooden Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed information about Colby Wooden’s immediate family and parental background is not publicly verified in available sources. His upbringing in Lawrenceville, Georgia, after being born in New Orleans, Louisiana, shaped his early athletic development, but specific details about his parents and siblings are not widely documented.
Personal Life
Colby Wooden maintains a presence on social media, including an Instagram account, where he shares updates related to his professional football career. He has not publicly confirmed a spouse or children, and details about his marital status and personal relationships are not publicly verified. His focus, based on his public profile, remains on his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 NFL season, Colby Wooden served as a rotational defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers. He appeared in games throughout the season, contributing on early downs and in pass-rush situations, and finished the year with cumulative career statistics of 87 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 3 pass deflections through the conclusion of his Packers tenure.
Wooden’s role with Green Bay in 2025 reflected the team’s preference for using him as a depth piece along the interior, with his snaps distributed across run defense and select passing-down packages. While his sack totals remained modest, his work against the run and his ability to occupy blockers provided value to the defensive rotation.
Heading into 2026, Wooden’s outlook shifted significantly when he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in March. The move presented a fresh opportunity to compete for a larger role on a Colts defense that was reshaping its front seven, positioning him for a potential uptick in responsibilities as he entered the next chapter of his career.
