Colby Parkinson Bio
Colby John Parkinson (born January 8, 1999) is an American professional football tight end for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall, he plays as a pass-catching tight end and is recognized for his size and reliable hands. After playing college football at Stanford University, he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.
Early Life and Background
Colby John Parkinson was born on January 8, 1999, in San Ramon, California, in the United States. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area before moving south to attend Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, California. At Oaks Christian, he balanced varsity football and varsity basketball, showing his athletic ability across multiple sports from a young age.
During his junior season in 2015, Parkinson played a key role in Oaks Christian’s football program, recording 24 receptions for 289 yards and four touchdowns. In December of that year, he committed to play college football at Stanford University, one of the most respected academic and athletic programs in the country. As a senior, he was selected for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, a showcase that features many of the top high school football players in the nation.
Path to American Football
Parkinson’s combination of height, length, and athleticism made him a natural fit for the tight end position at the college level. His commitment to Stanford signaled a clear path toward major college football and eventually the NFL. Performing in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl helped raise his national profile among scouts and recruiting analysts.
At Stanford, Parkinson developed into a reliable receiving tight end over three seasons. After his 2019 junior year, he announced he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2020 NFL draft, betting on his size, production, and pro-style experience to translate to the next level.
Colby Parkinson Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Parkinson was selected in the fourth round with the 133rd overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks. His rookie season was challenging, as he was placed on the active/non-football injury list at the start of training camp in August 2020 and later moved to the reserve/non-football injury list at the start of the regular season. After being activated on October 31, he appeared in six games during his first year.
In 2021, Parkinson was placed on injured reserve on September 7 with a broken foot but returned to the roster on October 2. He appeared in 14 games and made one start that season, gradually working his way into a larger role within Seattle’s offense.
Seattle Seahawks Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Parkinson scored his first NFL touchdown in Week 1 of the 2022 season against the Denver Broncos, a milestone moment that confirmed his development as a red-zone threat. He finished the 2022 season with 25 receptions for 322 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns across 17 games and two starts, becoming a steady contributor in Seattle’s passing game.
In 2023, he matched his production with another 25 receptions, gaining 247 yards and adding two more touchdowns. His consistency over those two seasons helped establish him as a dependable target before he reached free agency.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2024–Present)
On March 14, 2024, Parkinson signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams worth up to $22.5 million, marking a major step in his career. In his first season with the Rams in 2024, he finished with 30 receptions for 294 yards and one touchdown, quickly earning a role in the offense.
Parkinson also made a postseason impact with the Rams, recording a receiving touchdown during the Divisional Round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. His move to Los Angeles brought both a larger contract and a clear opportunity to contribute on a contending team.
Driving Style and Strengths
Parkinson’s game is built around his 6-foot-7 frame, long arms, and ability to create mismatches against smaller defensive backs. He is at his best as a possession tight end who can win in the red zone and move the chains on intermediate routes, and his reliable hands make him a favorite target on third downs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his standout moments, Parkinson tied the Stanford single-game record for touchdowns by a tight end with four scores against Oregon State in 2018, and he scored his first NFL touchdown against the Denver Broncos in 2022. His 2024 contract with the Los Angeles Rams and a postseason receiving touchdown that same year further highlighted his growing role in the league.
Colby Parkinson Career Wins
While tight ends are not always measured by win totals, Parkinson has built a steady professional résumé through reliable receiving production and postseason appearances. His work in 2022 and 2023 with the Seahawks laid the foundation, and his 2024 season with the Rams added a playoff game and a touchdown on his resume.
NFL Highlights
Across his NFL career, Parkinson has produced 80 receptions for 863 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns in the regular season, spanning his time with the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams. His most recent season with the Rams included 30 receptions for 294 yards and one touchdown, plus a Divisional Round receiving score against the Eagles.
Other Wins & Performances
At the college level, Parkinson earned Second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019 and All-Pac-12 Conference honorable mention in 2018. He also performed in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl as a senior at Oaks Christian, a marquee event that highlights top high school football talent.
Colby Parkinson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Colby John Parkinson’s immediate family is limited, and verified details about his parents and siblings are not broadly documented in available sources. His path into football was shaped primarily by his high school and college environments rather than a widely noted family sports lineage.
Personal Life
Parkinson’s personal life, including his marital status and family details, is not extensively documented in publicly verified sources. He has remained focused on his football career, transitioning from Stanford to the NFL and now playing a meaningful role with the Los Angeles Rams.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Parkinson is in the second year of a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams that runs through 2027 and is worth up to $22.5 million. After a 2024 campaign in which he posted 30 receptions for 294 yards and one touchdown, he is expected to remain a key part of the Rams’ tight end rotation and a trusted target in the red zone.
His 2024 postseason touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles highlighted his ability to perform in high-leverage moments, and the Rams are likely to lean on his size and reliable hands as they pursue another deep playoff run. Continuity within the offense should give him a chance to build on his production from the previous year.
With a stable role, a proven contract, and experience in big games, Parkinson’s outlook for the 2025 season is strong, and he has an opportunity to post his most productive NFL season yet while helping the Los Angeles Rams compete in a competitive conference.