The Steelers have not really used a fullback as a part of their offense since the days of Rosevelt Nix as the NFL changed since those days. In recent years, the NFL has been all about the passing attacks but within the last year or two, teams like the San Fransisco 49ers have made running “sexy” again.
While the Steelers are always known to run the ball, it is about to go to another level under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Not only does Smith like to run the ball, he likes to implement the use of a fullback, or hybrid tight end type of player. That is one reason that fullback Jack Colletto is happy to be in Pittsburgh.
“Honestly, when they hired [Arthur Smith], I was fired up because he uses the fullback,” Colletto told Alan Saunders of Steelers Now. “If they got a guy that just runs 11-personnel and not use the fullback, I probably wouldn’t be here but he definitely uses the fullback. There is conversation about it, schematically it poses a challenge for defenses when you are able to utilize it correctly so I am just working my way to fulfill that role.”
A main component that allows a team like the 49ers to run all over teams is their fullback, Kyle Juszczyk. While many teams do not have a traditional fullback, the ones that do have guys that can do multiple things such as blocking, receiving and running the ball. Having a guy like Juszczyk creates mismatches for the defense that are easy to exploit and Colletto is looking to be that guy for the Steelers.
“Fullbacks are definitely coming back, man, absolutely, and I am rooting for it,” Colletto said. “Especially with guys like Kyle Juszczyk, [Alec] Ingold, those kind of guys where it kind of implemented itself into the west coast offense where you can still spread it but it is not necessarily a true fullback where you go and run your head into a wall. … It’s a really unique piece of the offense and if you get the right person, you can be really dynamic especially in 21-personnel.”
Colletto started his college career as a quarterback before switching over to linebacker. That move did not stick necessarily as he played both sides over the next few years of his collegiate career. Other than the defensive stuff, he played in a similar role to what Connor Heyward played in at Michigan State.
Collerro prides himself on his versatility and while he posses some of the abilities that the Steelers and other teams are searching for in a modern day fullback, he needs to improve the traditional fullback abilities to make the roster.
“A lot of my calling card is being versatile and being able to do a lot of stuff,” Colletto said. “That is what I did and college and honestly that is what got me here. For me, it is just being able to continue to perfect those skills and be really good at those skills. The bottom line is, I have to be able to block and do that stuff so the basic fundamental stuff.”
As Colletto enters his second season in the NFL, he is prepared and has the clarity of mind to make those adjustments. He said that last year it was all about finding his footing in the league but this year is about proving himself.
“The first year is like, it is like trying to find that balance between figuring it out and understanding how the game works, the differences of the speed of the game,” Colletto said. “The second year for me, it is like, ‘okay, I had a year of seeing that experience,’ so for me, now it is go time.”
It is unknown what role a fullback will have in this year’s offense but a guy like Colletto could be the perfect fit. The thing that Colletto has going against him is that Heyward is a very similar do-it-all guy and probably would play in that role before Colletto does. Regardless, Colletto will have the preseason to prove it and if not, he is a practice squad candidate.
45 • Jack Colletto, Running Back, Oregon State
6-foot-3, 237 pounds, 25 years old, 2nd Season
Acquired: The Steelers originally signed Jack Colletto to the team’s practice squad last October. He signed a reserve/futures contract on Jan. 17, 2023.
Last Season: Jack Colletto signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent last May. He spent about two months on the 49ers practice squad before being released. The Steelers signed him to their practice squad to replace Zander Horvath as the practice squad fullback.
College: Jack Colletto was a jack of all trades in college as he played on both sides of the ball. He began his collegiate career at Arizona Western and played mainly at quarterback as a freshman. He led Arizona Western to become the national runners-up while starting at quarterback.
He transferred to Oregon State following his freshman season. He made eight appearances and recorded one start in 2018. In his lone start, Colletto ran for two scores in an overtime thrilling victory against Colorado.
In 2019, Colletto moved to linebacker but still saw time at quarterback but mainly just as a rusher. He played in four games and then redshirted. In 2020, Colletto played in all seven of the Beavers games and made 14 tackles. He ran the ball 15 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
As a redshirt junior, Colletto played in 12 games, making one start. He ran the ball 31 times for 144 yards and eight touchdowns. Additionally, he caught one pass for a 1-yard touchdown and made eight tackles with one interception. Colletto earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors following the season.
Colletto played in 12 games and started three of them for the Beavers during his final season. He carried the ball 27 times for 03 yards and sic touchdowns. He caught three balls for 46 yards, too. On defense, Colletto he logged 27 tackles and one forced fumble.
Salary cap and future: The Steelers signed Jack Colletto to a reserve/futures contract this offseason which means he is signed through the end of the 2024 season. If he makes the team’s final roster, Colletto will cost $795,000 against the team’s cap space.
If the Steelers decided to release Colletto, the team would not face any dead money penalties and free up the entire $795,000 of Colletto’s contract.
