Indianapolis Colts Sign UCLA Alum Ethan Fernea to Reserve Contract

The special teamer who spent six years in Westwood is sticking around in the NFL after going undrafted in 2022.

One of the newest Bruins to the NFL has re-upped with the franchise he spent his debut season with.

UCLA football alumnus Ethan Fernea has signed a reserve/future contract with the Indianapolis Colts, owner Jim Irsay announced Friday on Twitter. The rookie wide receiver spent most of the 2022 campaign on the practice squad, but suited up for action in one game.

Although Fernea signed a contract, it does not guarantee him a spot on the Colts' 2023 roster. The reserve/future contract is a minimum salary deal and does not count against the current salary cap or 53-man roster of the Colts, but rather next year's salary cap and 90-man training camp roster.

Fernea originally signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent on May 13 and appeared against the Tennessee Titans on October 23, logging one snap and with zero receptions on offense and nine snaps on special teams.

During the 2022 NFL preseason, Fernea caught two passes for eight yards, showcasing that the Colts planned to use the versatile playmaker as a wide receiver. 

While with the Bruins, Fernea was not a statistically imposing player, but made an impact as a receiver, running back and special teamer.

The 5-foot-11 utility athlete caught eight passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns during six years in Westwood. Fernea also rushed for 83 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, he tallied 12 tackles on special teams.

Fernea's biggest run with UCLA came in his final season with the Bruins. En route to the blue and gold's 62-33 victory at USC, the sixth-year senior rushed for a 42-yard touchdown, which was also the longest of his collegiate career.

The Colts are currently in the process of hiring a new head coach. Midway through the 2022 season, Indianapolis fired Frank Reich and hired Jeff Saturday as its interim coach.

Saturday – who was an ESPN analyst prior to being hired – saw little success as a coach and won one of the eight games whilst in charge.

Fernea will now have to impress the Colts' new coaching staff in the offseason training camps, as well as during the 2023 preseason, as he vies for a 53-man roster spot.

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