“He’s blessed genetically.” Those were the words of Colson Yankoff‘s high school coach, Shawn Amos, who saw something special in the Idaho-born athlete. As he finished off his high school career by leading his team to the state 5A championship game, Coach Amos knew this kid was going places. When he wasn’t on the field, he was probably geeking out over math and physics (yeah, the stuff that makes most people’s brains hurt). His love for football eventually took him to the University of Washington to play for the Huskies. And his passion for numbers earned him a degree in economics and a master’s in education—talk about balancing brains with brawn.

But where was all this talent coming from? Well, as Coach Amos put it back in 2017, “genetically.” All thanks to Yankoff’s mom and dad.

Who are Trevor and Tracie Yankoff?

If you’ve ever wondered where Colson Yankoff’s athletic genes came from, look no further than his parents, Trevor Yankoff and Tracie Yankoff. His dad, Trevor, wasn’t just any athlete—he was a quarterback at Brown University. And then there’s his mom, Tracie, who crushed it as a track and field athlete at Biola. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree, right? (In true American sports culture, you could say Colson was raised with some serious ‘athlete’s DNA.’) Growing up with two parents who were both competitive athletes, it’s no surprise that Colson picked up the same drive and dedication.

After playing a season with the Huskies, Colson Yankoff made a big move. He transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles to play for the Bruins. (You know, the place that legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jackie Robinson once called home). But it wasn’t a smooth transition, Yankoff had to sit out the 2019 season because the Huskies blocked his bid for immediate eligibility. When he got the chance to step on the gridiron, Colson played WR in 2020 and 2021. Then switched it up, playing RB and even getting in on special teams in 2022 and 2023. Talk about versatility!

How has Colson Yankoff’s athletic background catapulted him to success?

“Most of his best qualities have nothing to do with football — the type of kid he is. He’s been raised right, and he does things the right way,” says coach Shawn Amos. Colson Yankoff grew up as a humble kid, not one to boast about his talent, even though it was clear early on he had potential. Raised by two athletes, Trevor and Tracie, Colson was taught the value of hard work and humility (think of it like the “blue-collar” mindset, even in a sport as flashy as football). The Commanders TE wasn’t handed anything—he earned it, from his high school accolades to his college journey. When the 2024 NFL draft rolled around, Yankoff went undrafted (a tough pill to swallow for many athletes). 

But the 24-year-old wasn’t letting that get in his way. He knows it’s just the beginning. The Washington Commanders took a chance on him, signing him as a free agent. After playing a few games, Yankoff hit the injured reserve list in the middle of the season. In short, he didn’t get much of a chance on the gridiron this year. But hopefully, next season. 

Or wait a minute, why not this season? The Commanders recently opened Yankoff’s 21-day practice window to return from IR. With them making it to the divisional round after a thrilling wild card win against Bucs, Yankoff could get lucky. He might get a chance to ball out in the playoffs. Or even the Super Bowl. What a proud moment that would be for his parents!