Steelers Sign Former 49ers Fullback

The Steelers have signed former 49ers fullback Jake Colletto to their practice squad and released fullback Zander Horvath, the team announced on Monday. Colletto is a rookie who was undrafted out of Oregon State. The 49ers signed him as an undrafted free agent, and he stayed with the team throughout training camp and into the early portion of the season. However, on October 4th, the 49ers released him from their practice squad. Now, he ends up in Pittsburgh.

Colletto won the Paul Hornung Award for the most versatile player in college football in 2022. He played everywhere, including both sides of the ball and special teams. On offense, he played a fullback, wildcat quarterback, H-back, in-line tight end, flexed-out tight end, running back, and even out wide as a receiver. He played on every special teams unit while playing nearly 100 snaps on defense. In other words, while he is labeled a running back by the team, you can put him in any position on offense you could ever envision. Coletto has switched positions and played almost all while with the Beavers.

Over his five seasons in Corvallis, Colletto racked up 401 yards on 110 carries for 22 touchdowns. Weighing in at 237 pounds at his pro day, if you consider Coletto a running back, he is a big running back. But his frame and testing put him as a fullback, where he ran a 4.85 40-yard dash at his pro day.

He will take the role of Horvath on the practice squad as the do-it-all offensive type that Connor Heyward is for the team on the main roster. Pittsburgh still has one spot open on the practice squad following the moves on Monday, but that is expected to go to former Eagles linebacker Kyron Johnson. Johnson is an athletic hybrid player who shined in the Senior Bowl in 2022.