Trey Sermon Bio
An’treyon “Trey” Sermon is an American professional football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) and listed at 215 lb (98 kg), he plays the position with the physical profile typical of an early-down ball carrier. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners and Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. He has also spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts, building a journeyman resume across multiple organizations.
Early Life and Background
An’treyon Sermon was born on January 30, 1999, in St. Petersburg, Florida. He grew up in the Marietta, Georgia, area, where he attended Sprayberry High School. During his time at Sprayberry, Sermon developed into a promising running back prospect, drawing attention from college programs across the country for his combination of size, vision, and burst. His upbringing in the Southeast, a region with deep football roots, helped shape his early approach to the game.
Coming out of high school, Sermon was regarded as a multi-year starter at the running back position. He committed to the University of Oklahoma to play college football, choosing the Sooners over other suitors. That decision set the stage for his development in the Big 12 Conference under a high-powered offensive system. His time at Sprayberry, combined with his Florida origins, gave him a varied football background that he would carry into the college ranks.
Path to American Football
Sermon’s path to the NFL began at the University of Oklahoma, where he enrolled in 2017 as a true freshman. Playing in all 14 games with three starts, he rushed for 744 yards on 121 carries with five touchdowns, showing he could handle a meaningful workload right away. As a sophomore in 2018, he shared carries with Kennedy Brooks and posted 947 yards on 164 carries with 13 touchdowns, emerging as one of the conference’s most productive backs. His junior season in 2019 was cut short, as he played in only nine games and finished with 54 carries for 385 yards and four touchdowns.
Seeking a new start, Sermon transferred to Ohio State University as a graduate student in 2020. The move paid off immediately. In the 2020 Big Ten Championship Game against Northwestern University, Sermon rushed for 331 yards, the most in a single game by an Ohio State player and the highest ever in a Football Bowl Subdivision championship game. He followed that with 193 rushing yards and a touchdown in the 2021 Sugar Bowl against Clemson, adding four receptions for 61 yards in a 49–28 victory. His season ended on a sour note when he was injured on the first play of the 2021 National Championship Game against Alabama, a 52–24 loss. He earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2020 for that performance.
Trey Sermon Career
Early Career (2021)
The San Francisco 49ers selected Sermon in the third round, 88th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on July 21, 2021, and entered training camp competing for a role in a crowded backfield. Behind Raheem Mostert and fellow rookie Elijah Mitchell, he began the year as the third-string running back, learning the offense and adjusting to professional speed.
Sermon made his first career start in Week 3 of the 2021 season, rushing for 31 yards and a touchdown while adding two catches for three yards and another score against the Green Bay Packers. The two-touchdown performance showcased his versatility as a runner and receiver. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 12 and was placed on injured reserve on December 4, 2021, before being activated on January 11, 2022. As a rookie, Sermon appeared in nine games with two starts, finishing with 41 carries for 167 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. The 49ers released him on August 31, 2022.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2022–2023)
On September 1, 2022, Sermon was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles, giving him a fresh opportunity in a different offensive scheme. He appeared in two games, Weeks 4 and 5, of the 2022 season, working mostly in a complementary role. The Eagles’ deep backfield, however, limited his chances to carve out a consistent role on offense.
Sermon was waived/injured by the Eagles on August 29, 2023, and reverted to injured reserve two days later. On September 15, the Eagles waived him from injured reserve, ending his time in Philadelphia. His stay with the organization reflected the constant churn of the running back position, where roster spots can shift quickly.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2023–2024)
On September 19, 2023, Sermon signed with the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts, then was promoted to the active roster on September 23. He appeared in 14 regular-season games for the Colts that year, recording 35 carries for 160 rushing yards. His work in pass protection and on special teams helped him stick on the active roster for most of the season. On March 14, 2024, the Colts re-signed Sermon to a new contract, signaling the organization’s interest in retaining him as a depth piece. His role in Indianapolis gave him the most stable stretch of his early NFL career, even as his offensive touches remained modest.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2025–Present)
On May 11, 2025, Sermon signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers to a one-year contract, joining another competitive roster. He was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts and was signed to the practice squad the following day. Sermon was promoted to the active roster on November 8, then waived four days later, before being re-signed to the practice squad on November 13 and released on December 10. He was re-signed to the practice squad again on December 17.
Sermon played in four games for the Steelers, all on special teams, returning two kicks for 51 yards and combining on one tackle. Though his offensive opportunities in Pittsburgh were limited, his work on special teams gave him a path to stay active. He continues to serve as a depth option in the Steelers’ backfield.
Driving Style and Strengths
Note: the section “Driving Style and Strengths” is not applicable to Trey Sermon’s profession as a football running back and has been intentionally omitted.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Trey Sermon’s career came in the 2020 Big Ten Championship Game, when he rushed for 331 yards against Northwestern, setting Ohio State and FBS championship game records in a single afternoon. His 193-yard, one-touchdown performance in the 2021 Sugar Bowl against Clemson cemented his status as a big-game runner. The unfortunate injury on the opening play of the National Championship Game against Alabama prevented him from closing that season on the field.
Trey Sermon Career Wins
As a running back, Trey Sermon’s statistical achievements are measured in carries, yards, and touchdowns rather than race wins. His most celebrated milestone remains the 331 rushing yards he recorded in the 2020 Big Ten Championship Game. Through the 2025 season, his career NFL statistics include 505 rushing yards on a 3.8 average, three rushing touchdowns, 22 receptions, and 138 receiving yards.
College Career Highlights
At Oklahoma, Sermon finished with 2,076 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns across three seasons, including his 947-yard, 13-touchdown sophomore campaign in 2018. His single-game high of 331 yards at Ohio State stands as one of the most productive rushing performances in Big Ten Championship history. He also earned Second-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2020.
Other Wins & Performances
Sermon’s 193-yard effort in the 2021 Sugar Bowl against Clemson ranks among his most productive outings. His two-touchdown debut start against the Green Bay Packers in 2021 highlighted his ability to contribute in the passing game, with two catches for three yards and a receiving score to go with his 31 rushing yards.
Trey Sermon Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Note: the section “Family Background and Racing Lineage” is not applicable to Trey Sermon’s profession as a football running back and has been intentionally omitted.
Personal Life
Public details about Trey Sermon’s personal and family life are limited. He was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, before moving to the Marietta, Georgia, area, where he attended Sprayberry High School. He has kept his private life largely out of the public eye while focusing on his football career.
2025 Season Performance
Trey Sermon’s 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers was defined by movement between the practice squad and the active roster. After signing a one-year contract in May, he was released during final cuts in August and immediately re-signed to the practice squad. The back-and-forth reflected the constant churn of an NFL running back room, where depth players can be signed and released multiple times in a single season.
When called up, Sermon contributed primarily on special teams rather than offense, returning two kicks for 51 yards and combining on one tackle across four games. His offensive line and lead blocking responsibilities, paired with his size at 215 lb, made him a candidate for short-yardage work, though his touches in that role were limited. Being waived and re-signed several times during the year highlighted the precarious nature of his roster spot.
Heading into the remainder of the 2025 season, Sermon’s role with the Steelers remained uncertain, given the practice squad transactions that marked his tenure. His ability to contribute on special teams and provide depth at running back gave him a path back to the active roster. Continued health and special-teams production are likely to determine whether he remains in Pittsburgh or finds another opportunity.