John Parker Romo Bio
John Parker Romo is an American professional football placekicker who has played in the National Football League and the XFL. Born on August 24, 1997, in Peachtree City, Georgia, he developed his kicking skills across multiple college programs before launching a professional career in 2022. Romo is recognized as the all-time leader in field goals made in the XFL and earned First-team All-XFL honors following the 2023 season.
Romo signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia Tech and has since held positions with several NFL franchises, including the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, and Atlanta Falcons. He also played for the San Antonio Brahmas in the XFL. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 174 pounds, he is of Mexican descent and continues to pursue a steady role at the highest level of American football.
Early Life and Background
John Parker Romo was born and raised in Peachtree City, Georgia, where he attended McIntosh High School. Growing up in a community with a strong high school football culture, Romo was introduced to competitive football at a young age and gravitated toward the kicking game early in his athletic development. His background is notable for his Mexican heritage, which connects him to a growing tradition of Latino kickers in American professional football.
During his time at McIntosh, Romo began refining his kicking technique and built the leg strength that would later define his professional profile. Coaches and teammates recognized his ability to drive the ball deep on kickoffs and to handle pressure kicks under game conditions. These formative experiences in Peachtree City helped shape the work ethic and consistency that have carried him through college and into the professional ranks.
Romo’s path to college football was unconventional. Rather than accepting a scholarship offer from a major program, he pursued opportunities that allowed him to grow at his own pace. That willingness to embrace a slower developmental path ultimately gave him the repetitions and experience needed to compete at the professional level.
Path to Professional Football
Romo began his collegiate career at the University of Central Arkansas, where he joined the Bears as a true freshman. He served mostly as a kickoff specialist in his first season, recording 2,556 yards on 44 kickoffs with seven touchbacks across eight games. Although he did not convert his only field goal attempt that year, the experience gave him a foundation to build on.
Following his freshman season, Romo transferred to the University of Tulsa between semesters and walked on to the Golden Hurricane program. He continued to focus on kickoff duties during the first half of his sophomore campaign before taking on a larger role later in the year. He finished that season with 3,602 yards on 59 kickoffs, 28 touchbacks, a 61.1-yard average, and 17 made extra points on 18 attempts, along with two made field goals out of five tries.
Romo transferred again and completed his college career at Virginia Tech, where he spent three seasons with the Hokies. He worked exclusively as a kickoff specialist in 2019 and 2020 before adding field goal duties in his final season. In 2021, he converted 18 of 22 field goal attempts and went a perfect 34 for 34 on extra points, numbers that drew attention from NFL scouts and led to his opportunity with the New Orleans Saints.
John Parker Romo Career
Early Career (2022)
Following the 2022 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints signed John Parker Romo as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia Tech on May 16, 2022. The agreement represented the first professional opportunity for a kicker who had quietly built his resume across three different college programs. Romo joined a Saints training camp looking to demonstrate that his late-college surge could translate to the next level.
Romo was released on August 15, 2022, but the Saints re-signed him four days later, signaling continued interest in his development. Although he did not secure a roster spot for the regular season, the experience introduced him to the speed and precision required of NFL special teams play. That offseason laid the groundwork for the moves that followed.
XFL Breakthrough with the San Antonio Brahmas (2023)
In 2023, Romo signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL and quickly became one of the league’s most consistent kickers. He played in all 10 Brahmas games during the season and finished with 17 made field goals out of 19 attempts, totaling 51 points. His accuracy and range helped establish San Antonio as a competitive team and gave Romo a stage to showcase his abilities.
Romo’s performance earned him a selection to the 2023 All-XFL team on May 8, and he also held the XFL record for the longest field goal before Donny Hageman broke his 57-yarder with a 59-yard kick against the Houston Roughnecks. Romo was released from his Brahmas contract on May 15, 2023, but his place in league history was already secured as the all-time leader in field goals made in the XFL.
NFL Journeyman Years (2023–2025)
After his XFL success, Romo signed with the Detroit Lions on May 15, 2023, following a successful tryout. He was waived on August 29, then joined the Chicago Bears’ practice squad on August 31 before being released on October 10. Those short stints reflected the volatile nature of the kicking market but kept Romo within striking distance of an NFL opportunity.
On March 13, 2024, Romo signed with the Minnesota Vikings. After being waived on July 29, he was re-signed on November 5 as an injury replacement for Will Reichard. Five days later, Romo made his NFL debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars and converted all four of his field goal attempts, supplying all the scoring in a 12–7 victory. He was waived again on December 7.
Romo signed with the New England Patriots’ practice squad on December 10, 2024, and signed a reserve and future contract on January 6, 2025. During the 2025 preseason, he lost the kicking competition to rookie Andrés Borregales and was released as part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2025)
On September 9, 2025, John Parker Romo was signed to the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad amid struggles from incumbent kicker Younghoe Koo. Ten days later, on September 19, Romo was promoted to the active roster in a move that corresponded with the release of Koo. The transaction signaled a clear vote of confidence in Romo’s accuracy and leg strength.
Romo’s Falcons tenure included a difficult moment in Week 9 against his former team, the New England Patriots, when he missed a crucial fourth-quarter extra point that would have tied the game. Atlanta lost on the road 24–23. He was waived on November 4 in favor of veteran Zane Gonzalez, closing a brief but eventful chapter in Atlanta.
Notable Events and Milestones
Romo’s most celebrated milestone remains his selection to the 2023 All-XFL team and his status as the XFL’s all-time leader in field goals made. His four-for-four NFL debut with the Vikings, which supplied every point in a 12–7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, stands as another signature performance. The decision to elevate him over Younghoe Koo in Atlanta also marked one of the more notable kicker changes of the 2025 NFL season.
John Parker Romo Family
Family Background and Personal Life
John Parker Romo is of Mexican descent, a heritage he has spoken about as a meaningful part of his identity. Born and raised in Peachtree City, Georgia, he continues to carry that cultural background into his professional life in the NFL. Public information about his immediate family remains limited, and he has kept most personal details private.
2025 Season Performance
John Parker Romo’s 2025 season reflected the highs and lows familiar to a journeyman kicker. He began the year with the New England Patriots and competed through the offseason program and preseason before losing the kicking job to rookie Andrés Borregales. His release on August 26 opened the door for a quick return to the league.
Just two weeks later, the Atlanta Falcons signed Romo to their practice squad and then promoted him to the active roster, replacing longtime kicker Younghoe Koo. The midseason opportunity gave Romo a chance to reset his career trajectory with one of the league’s most visible franchises. His Week 9 performance against New England, while disappointing in outcome, demonstrated his ability to handle pressure moments in close games.
Romo’s eventual release in favor of Zane Gonzalez on November 4 ended his 2025 chapter in Atlanta. Even so, his season served as proof that he remains a dependable option for teams in need of kicking help. With his accuracy from Virginia Tech and his proven XFL resume still intact, Romo is well positioned to attract interest from clubs evaluating kickers during the 2025 offseason and into 2026.