Colby John Parkinson Bio
Colby John Parkinson (born January 8, 1999) is an American professional football tight end who currently plays for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). The San Ramon, California native played college football at Stanford University before the Seattle Seahawks selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In his sixth professional season, Parkinson has established himself as a reliable receiving threat at the tight end position, culminating in a record-setting 2025 campaign with the Rams.
Early Life and Background
Colby John Parkinson grew up in Westlake Village, California, where he attended Oaks Christian School. During his high school career, Parkinson played football under head coach Jim Benkert, developing into one of the top prospects in the country. He shared the field with future NFL players Michael Pittman Jr. and Darnay Holmes during his time at Oaks Christian.
As a junior in 2015, Parkinson caught 24 passes for 489 yards and four touchdowns. His performance attracted attention from major college programs, and in December 2015, he committed to play college football at Stanford University. During his senior season, he recorded 33 receptions for 531 yards and two touchdowns, helping lead the Lions to a second consecutive Marmonte League title.
Parkinson capped his high school football career by participating in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. His outstanding high school career earned him a spot on the USA Today All-USA first team, and multiple scouting services rated him as a four- or five-star recruit.
Path to the NFL
Parkinson arrived at Stanford University in 2017 as a highly-touted freshman prospect. He immediately contributed to the Cardinal offense, appearing in all 14 games and catching 10 passes for 97 yards and four touchdowns. His ability to make an impact as a rookie demonstrated the skills that would define his collegiate career.
As a sophomore in 2018, Parkinson elevated his game significantly. He played in 13 games with nine starts, compiling 29 receptions for 485 yards and seven touchdowns. His standout performance came on November 10, 2018, against Oregon State, where he caught six passes for 166 yards and four touchdowns, tying the Stanford single-game record for most touchdowns by a tight end. His efforts earned him All-Pac-12 Conference honorable mention recognition.
During his junior season in 2019, Parkinson recorded 48 catches for 589 yards and one touchdown. Following the season, he announced his decision to forgo his senior year and enter the 2020 NFL Draft. His three-year Stanford career saw him total 87 receptions for 1,171 yards and 12 touchdowns across 40 games. He earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors for his 2019 performance.
Colby John Parkinson Career
Seattle Seahawks (2020–2023)
The Seattle Seahawks selected Parkinson in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 133rd overall pick. An injury delayed his rookie season, as he was placed on the active/non-football injury list during training camp and then moved to the reserve/non-football injury list at the start of the regular season. He was activated on October 31, 2020, and appeared in six games as a rookie, catching two passes for 16 yards.
His 2021 season began with another injury setback when he was placed on injured reserve with a broken foot on September 7. He returned to the roster on October 2 and appeared in 14 games, catching five passes for 33 yards. Notably, he made his first career start in the Season 18 finale at Arizona, where he caught two passes for 14 yards in a 38–30 victory.
Parkinson broke through offensively in 2022. In Week 1 against the Denver Broncos, he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 25-yard pass from Geno Smith in the Seahawks’ 17–16 victory. He finished the regular season with 25 receptions for 322 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in 17 games with two starts. The 2023 season saw him record 25 receptions for 247 yards and two touchdowns.
Los Angeles Rams (2024–Present)
On March 14, 2024, Parkinson signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams worth up to $22.5 million. The move brought him back to his home state of California. In his first season with the Rams, he played in all 17 regular season games, starting nine, and finished with 30 receptions for 294 yards. He set a career single-game best with seven receptions for 52 yards against Green Bay in Week 5. His only touchdown of the season came on a 19-yard reception in a 28–22 victory over New England in Week 11.
The 2024 season continued into the playoffs, where Parkinson made a significant impact. In the NFC Divisional Round against Philadelphia, he recorded a receiving touchdown in the Rams’ 28–22 loss.
The 2025 season marked the pinnacle of Parkinson’s professional career. He started in 10 of the 15 games he played, as the Rams increasingly utilized a “13 Personnel” formation featuring multiple tight ends. He set new single-season career highs with 43 receptions for 408 receiving yards. Against Detroit in Week 15, he recorded a single-game career high of 75 receiving yards on five receptions in a 41–34 Rams victory, scoring two touchdowns for the first multi-touchdown game of his career.
Parkinson closed the 2025 regular season with two more touchdowns in the Rams’ 37–20 victory over Arizona in Week 18. His eight touchdown receptions set a new Rams single-season record for tight ends, breaking the previous mark of six shared by Damone Johnson, Troy Drayton, and Roland Williams.
Driving Style and Strengths
Parkinson’s 6-foot-7 frame makes him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, particularly in the red zone and on third downs. His large catch radius allows quarterbacks to target windows that smaller defenders cannot cover. He has demonstrated reliable hands and the ability to make contested catches, while also showing enough speed to stretch the field on seam routes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Parkinson’s career reached its peak during the 2025 playoff run. In the NFC Wild Card Game against the Carolina Panthers on January 10, 2026, he had two receptions for 34 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown for the game-winning score with 38 seconds remaining in the Rams’ 34–31 victory. The following week in the NFC Divisional Round against the Chicago Bears, he caught three passes for 56 yards to help the Rams win 20–17 in overtime. In the NFC Championship Game against his former team, the Seattle Seahawks, he recorded three receptions for 62 yards in the Rams’ 31–27 loss.
Colby John Parkinson Career Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Parkinson has built a solid statistical foundation across five NFL seasons. He has appeared in 68 regular season games with 26 starts, totaling 130 receptions for 1,320 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.
College Highlights
At Stanford from 2017 to 2019, Parkinson appeared in 40 games and caught 87 passes for 1,171 yards and 12 touchdowns. His most prolific season came in 2018 when he earned All-Pac-12 Conference honorable mention. He saved his best statistical performance for his junior year, earning second-team All-Pac-12 recognition after catching 48 passes for 589 yards.
Notable Achievements
Parkinson’s professional career highlight came in 2025 when he set the Los Angeles Rams single-season record for touchdown receptions by a tight end with eight. His 2025 playoff performance, including the game-winning touchdown against Carolina in the Wild Card round, established him as a clutch performer in high-pressure situations. His NFL career totals through 2025 stand at 130 receptions for 1,320 yards and 13 touchdowns.
| Competition | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Regular Season | 130 | 1,320 | 13 |
| College (Stanford) | 87 | 1,171 | 12 |
Colby John Parkinson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
No information regarding Parkinson’s family background or racing lineage is available in verified sources.
Personal Life
Parkinson graduated from Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, California, before attending Stanford University. He maintains an active presence on Instagram under the handle colbyparkinson. Further details about his personal life beyond his professional career are not publicly available in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a breakthrough year for Colby John Parkinson with the Los Angeles Rams. After three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, he joined the Rams in 2024 and spent that year adapting to a new system and building chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford. The 2025 season saw the Rams fully incorporate him into their offensive plans, particularly through their increased use of multiple tight end sets.
Parkinson’s 43 receptions for 408 yards represented significant jumps from his previous career highs, but his eight touchdowns told the most compelling story. His ability to find the end zone, especially in crucial moments, made him a trusted target in the red zone. The Rams’ offense benefited from his versatility, as he could line up in multiple positions and create mismatches against both linebackers and smaller defensive backs.
The Rams’ playoff run showcased Parkinson’s ability to perform under pressure. His game-winning touchdown against Carolina in the Wild Card round will be remembered as a defining moment of his career. While the Rams fell short in the NFC Championship Game against Seattle, Parkinson’s contributions throughout the season and postseason established him as a core piece of the Rams’ offense for years to come.