Carson Steele defied the odds.
The former Center Grove star whose college journey took him from Ball State to UCLA made the 53-man roster with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Indiana’s 2020 Mr. Football went undrafted during April’s NFL Draft and signed with KC as a free agent. He had been one of the standouts of the NFL preseason, racking up 87 yards on 11 carries (good for an average of 7.9 yards per carry) and scoring a pair of touchdowns.
During the Chiefs’ preseason finale against the Chicago Bears, Steele had four carries for 50 yards and a score. The big highlight was a bruising 31-yard run in which he broke tackles and stiff-armed a defender.
“It didn't really look like they wanted to tackle him. That's a plus if you're a running back,” said Chiefs head coach Andy Reid after the game.
Steele, listed as a fullback, appeared in all three of Kansas City’s preseason games. He also returned kickoffs.
After a standout career at Center Grove, Steele went to Ball State. He had his best season in 2022, when he ran for 1,556 yards and 14 touchdowns. He then transferred to UCLA, where he tallied 847 yards and six scores.
Steele finished his collegiate career with 3,294 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns. He added four TD receptions. He also famously has a pet alligator named Crocky J.