Colson Yankoff Bio
Colson Yankoff is an American professional football player who currently plays tight end for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 1, 2000, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Yankoff stands 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 225 pounds, giving him the prototypical frame for the position. He played college football at the University of Washington and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) before signing with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
Before transitioning to tight end professionally, Yankoff played several offensive positions during his college career, including wide receiver and running back. As a student, he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in education from UCLA. His versatility across multiple skill positions contributed to his development as an NFL-caliber athlete and informed the positional transition that defined his rookie season.
Early Life and Background
Colson Yankoff was born on March 1, 2000, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, a city located in the northern part of the state near the Canadian border. He attended Coeur d’Alene High School, where he played quarterback and emerged as one of the most notable players in Idaho high school football history. As a senior in 2017, Yankoff led Coeur d’Alene High School to the Idaho Class 5A state championship game.
Yankoff earned a four-star recruit rating and was recognized as the top recruit of the University of Washington football recruiting class by 247Sports. He initially verbally committed to play college football at the University of Oregon, but he de-committed following the firing of Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich. He then enrolled at the University of Washington and began his college football career with the Washington Huskies.
Path to American Football
At the University of Washington, Yankoff redshirted his freshman year in 2018. After that season, he transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to play for the UCLA Bruins. The Washington football program blocked a bid for Yankoff to receive immediate playing eligibility at UCLA, which required him to sit out the 2019 season per NCAA transfer rules.
Yankoff appeared as a wide receiver for UCLA in 2020 and 2021 and then played running back and contributed on special teams in 2022 and 2023. Over his five college seasons across two institutions, he demonstrated positional versatility that caught the attention of NFL scouts. His time at UCLA culminated in dual academic degrees, reflecting a commitment to both athletics and scholarship.
Colson Yankoff Career
College Football (2018-2023)
Yankoff began his college football career at the University of Washington in 2018, where he redshirted his freshman season. His transfer to UCLA following that year marked the beginning of a five-season college career spanning two schools. At UCLA, he sat out 2019 due to NCAA transfer eligibility restrictions before appearing on the field in 2020.
During his time with the UCLA Bruins, Yankoff played wide receiver in 2020 and 2021 and transitioned to running back and special teams in 2022 and 2023. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in education while competing for UCLA, completing his college football eligibility in 2023.
Washington Commanders Era (2024-Present)
Yankoff signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2024 following the NFL Draft. The Commanders converted him from his college positions of running back and wide receiver to tight end, recognizing his size, athleticism, and football intelligence as well-suited for the role. As a rookie, he appeared in six regular season games, playing six offensive snaps and 101 special teams snaps, and recorded four tackles on special teams.
The Commanders placed Yankoff on injured reserve on November 9, 2024. He returned to the active roster during the 2024 playoffs and played in both the NFC Wild Card Round and Divisional Round. His rookie season included 2 receptions and 18 receiving yards in NFL regular season play, establishing a baseline for his development at the professional level.
Playing Style and Strengths
Yankoff brings basketball experience from his high school athletic career, which contributed to his coordination and spatial awareness on the football field. His collegiate experience as both a wide receiver and running back gives him an uncommon skill set for a tight end, combining route-running awareness with physicality in the running game. At 6 feet 4 inches and 225 pounds, his size makes him a viable red-zone target and a functional blocker.
Notable Events and Milestones
During the 2025 season, Yankoff recorded his first career catch on a four-yard reception from quarterback Marcus Mariota in Week 11 against the Miami Dolphins. Leading Coeur d’Alene High School to the Idaho Class 5A state championship game as a senior in 2017 remains one of the defining achievements of his football career to date. His academic accomplishments, including earning a master’s degree in education at UCLA, set him apart as a well-rounded athlete.
Colson Yankoff Career Wins
Colson Yankoff has recorded two career receptions for 18 receiving yards as of the 2025 NFL season. His first career reception came on a four-yard catch from Marcus Mariota in Week 11 of the 2025 season against the Miami Dolphins. As an undrafted rookie still establishing his role, Yankoff’s on-field contributions have come primarily through special teams play in addition to his offensive production.
NFL Highlights
Yankoff recorded his first career reception in Week 11 of the 2025 season, catching a four-yard pass from Marcus Mariota in a game against the Miami Dolphins. He appeared in six regular season games during his 2024 rookie season and played in both the NFC Wild Card Round and Divisional Round during the Commanders’ playoff run. His primary on-field contributions during his rookie season included 101 special teams snaps and four special teams tackles.
Colson Yankoff Family
Family Background
Yankoff was born and raised in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in the northwestern United States. He attended Coeur d’Alene High School, where he played quarterback and developed into one of the state top football recruits. Details about his immediate family background and early influences have not been widely documented in public sources.
Personal Life
Yankoff earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in education from UCLA, reflecting a strong academic commitment alongside his football career. He maintains an Instagram account under the handle colsonyankoff. Details about his marital status, children, and personal relationships have not been documented in public sources.
2025 Season Performance
Colson Yankoff entered the 2025 NFL season as one of the Washington Commanders auxiliary tight ends, continuing his development at the position after converting from wide receiver and running back in college. His role on the roster remained focused on special teams contributions while competing for offensive snaps at tight end. The coaching staff utilized his positional versatility and special teams experience as key components of his value to the team.
In Week 11 of the 2025 season, Yankoff recorded his first career NFL reception on a four-yard catch from quarterback Marcus Mariota against the Miami Dolphins. The catch represented a milestone in his professional development following his undrafted signing in 2024 and his rookie season spent primarily on special teams. As the 2025 season progressed, Yankoff continued to compete for expanded offensive opportunities while contributing on special teams, positioning himself for a larger role in future seasons with the Washington Commanders.