Deamonte “Chip” Trayanum is on the move again. The former Kentucky running back has officially signed with the Toledo Rockets, marking his next chapter out of the NCAA Transfer Portal. With one year of eligibility left, the veteran ball carrier brings a wealth of experience across three Power Five programs. Trayanum started his journey at ASU, even spending time at linebacker before switching full-time to RB. He later transferred to OSU, where he became the Buckeyes’ second-leading rusher in 2023 with 373 yards and three TDs.

In 2024, Trayanum made a fresh start at Kentucky but was limited to just three games due to a broken hand. Despite the injury setback, his career totals speak volumes: 692 yards and 10 touchdowns at Arizona State. Now at Toledo, Trayanum looks to finish his college career strong, with fresh legs, proven production, and a point to prove. But…

Where is DeaMonte “Chip” Trayanum from? Hometown, ethnicity & more

Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, Chip Trayanum’s athletic journey began on the blacktop, not the gridiron. A proud product of northeast Ohio, Trayanum first found joy shooting hoops with friends before a neighbor nudged him toward the football field. That moment flipped the switch. “From then on, I had my eye on the future and what I could make of it,” he said. Raised in a tight-knit, hardworking family, Trayanum credits his mother, Shereefa Cameron, who worked night shifts in Akron’s ER registration department, for instilling his drive. “I saw how hard she worked and the sacrifices she made,” he shared. “Now, I want to show that it was all worth it.”

His support system ran deep—his grandmother and great-grandmother, along with his younger sister Syncere, helped shape his values. “They brought me up in the church,” he said. “It’s why I have the morals and manners I do.” Even with his athletic rise, Trayanum remained grounded in the community. “I wasn’t that guy hanging out with only my teammates… I’m cool with the janitors, secretaries—anyone,” he said. His high school years at Archbishop Hoban High School were pivotal. Whether it was celebrating a state championship win or leading post-game dance battles, the locker room became his 2nd home. Coaches believed in his potential early, nicknaming him “Chip” for being a true blue-chip prospect.

Trayanum is not just a football player—he’s a thinker. A nearly 4.0 GPA student, he’s as committed to education as he is to the game. “School always came easy to me,” he said. “I want to graduate in three years and earn a master’s in four.” With his sights set on long-term success, he first chose Arizona State, drawn by Herm Edwards’ vision of developing both player and person. Now, after stops at Ohio State and Kentucky, the Akron native is headed to Toledo, ready to close out his college career with purpose. “It’s already written,” his mother would say. And Chip? He’s writing the rest—one carry at a time.

Which religion does DeaMonte “Chip” Trayanum follow?

Chip Trayanum is a proud believer in Christ. His faith has been a guiding force both on and off the field. Raised in a family rooted in church values, he credits his strong moral compass to his upbringing with his grandmother and great-grandmother. “They brought me up in the church,” he once said. That foundation continues to shape his outlook and purpose today.

When asked about a cause close to his heart, Trayanum didn’t hesitate. “Treat people how you want to be treated,” he said. “As a believer in Christ, I feel like that’s what we’re all here to do.” For him, kindness isn’t just a nice gesture—it’s a mission. “You never know what somebody’s going through. A simple ‘How is your day?’ can change everything.” It’s a message he lives by—humble, heartfelt, and rooted in faith.

More about DeaMonte “Chip” Trayanum’s background

Step inside Trayanum’s world in suburban Akron, and you’ll see more than just a messy bedroom and a PS4. From his white-paneled home tucked behind a small forest, Chip crafted big dreams in the quiet corners of his room. A framed photo from a state title game sits beside an image of LeBron James, his hometown hero. A pair of Nike cleats from The Opening camp and hand grippers by his pillow hint at the drive behind the chaos. Even when his bed couldn’t offer enough support, forcing him to sleep on the couch, Trayanum kept pushing forward, gaming as the Falcons and scheming ways to win on and off the field.

That mindset bled into the classroom. At Hoban HS, he wasn’t just a bruising back with 1,313 rushing yards and 26 TDs in his junior season—he was “an awesome student,” according to his entrepreneurship teacher, Mr. Jason Dzik. Chip leaned into business concepts. His academic ambition is real, and a plan to graduate from college in three years. “It opened my head up,” he said of the entrepreneurship course, which introduced him to the idea of building not just a business, but a legacy.

Chip’s heart was never set on what most local football stars dream of—Ohio State. Despite visiting the Buckeyes more times than he could count and building strong ties with Ryan Day, Trayanum was after more. He chose Arizona State because it gave him the chance to grow independently, invest in himself, and even, maybe, buy a house. “I kind of think outside the box,” he admitted. Whether he’s weighing real estate options or planning post-football success, DeaMonte “Chip” Trayanum doesn’t just chase touchdowns; he chases purpose.