Keary Colbert
Patrick Keary Jerel Colbert (born May 21, 1982), known as Keary Colbert, is an American football coach and former wide receiver who played professionally from 2004 to 2011, primarily in the National Football League (NFL), and currently serves as the wide receivers coach for the Denver Broncos.[1][2] Colbert attended the University of Southern California (USC), where he played college football as a wide receiver for the Trojans from 2000 to 2003, contributing to their 2003 national championship season with 69 receptions for 1,013 yards and nine touchdowns in his senior year.[1][3] Selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft, he spent his first three seasons with the Panthers, recording 77 receptions for 1,092 yards and seven touchdowns before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 2008.[1] Over the remainder of his NFL career, Colbert played for the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and Kansas City Chiefs, finishing with career totals of 130 receptions, 1,629 yards, and eight touchdowns across 75 games; he also appeared in the United Football League (UFL) with the Florida Tuskers and Sacramento Mountain Lions before retiring in 2012.[1] Transitioning to coaching, Colbert began his career as a graduate assistant at USC in 2010, working with tight ends including future NFL player Jordan Cameron.[2] He later coached at Pace Academy and Georgia State before serving as an offensive analyst at the University of Alabama from 2015 to 2017, contributing to two Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships and the 2017 College Football Playoff national title.[4] Returning to USC in 2018 as tight ends coach and promoted to wide receivers coach from 2019 to 2021, he mentored standout players such as Michael Pittman Jr., Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Drake London, all of whom became first-round NFL draft picks.[5][4] Colbert then joined the University of Florida as wide receivers coach in 2022 before being hired by the Broncos on February 25, 2023, where in his tenure he has overseen the development of wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who has recorded 181 receptions for 2,443 yards and 22 touchdowns since 2023 (as of November 2025), helping the team achieve 76 receiving touchdowns since that period.[2][6][7]Early life
Upbringing
Patrick Keary Jerel Colbert was born on May 21, 1982, in Oxnard, California.[1][8] Colbert grew up in Oxnard, raised by his parents, Patrick and Berma Colbert, in a supportive family environment. His father worked at Southern California Edison, while his mother was employed at Sears, both holding full-time positions that shaped the family's daily routine. Due to their work schedules, young Colbert spent significant time at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme, where he engaged in community activities that fostered his early development. A notable aspect of his local upbringing included his childhood photograph as a 6-year-old appearing on billboards along the 101 freeway, symbolizing community pride in the region's youth.[9] Early influences in Oxnard played a key role in Colbert's interests, particularly in sports. He initially participated in basketball at the Boys & Girls Club during summers but soon transitioned to flag football, where he excelled at scoring touchdowns and discovered his passion for the game. Inspiration came from watching the 1996 Rose Bowl, where the USC Trojans defeated Northwestern, featuring standout wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, igniting his football aspirations. Additionally, Colbert received mentorship from Chuck Muncie, a former NFL running back and club alumnus, who emphasized discipline, education, and personal growth alongside athletic pursuits.[9] Colbert's introduction to organized football occurred through participation in youth leagues with the Port Hueneme Rhinos, a team that provided his first structured experience on the field. This early involvement honed his skills and set the stage for his athletic progression. As he entered his teenage years, these foundations prepared him for the transition to high school athletics at Hueneme High School.[10][11]High school career
Colbert attended Hueneme High School in Oxnard, California, where he lettered in football, track, and basketball.[10] As a multi-sport athlete, he demonstrated versatility across disciplines during his high school years.[12] In football, Colbert earned recognition as a prep All-American, highlighting his standout talent as a wide receiver.[12] During his junior year in 1998, he averaged 44.6 yards per catch on 11 receptions, scoring 7 touchdowns, including a notable performance against Muir with 3 catches for 134 yards and 3 touchdowns.[13] In the spring following his junior year, at the Ventura County football combine, he impressed recruiters by winning the 40-yard dash in 4.40 seconds and the pro shuttle run in 3.91 seconds.[14] As a senior in 1999, playing in a run-oriented offense, he recorded 25 receptions despite the team's emphasis on ground plays.[15] His high school performances drew attention from college programs, leading to his recruitment and commitment to the University of Southern California.[16]College career
Statistics and records
During his four seasons at USC from 2000 to 2003, Keary Colbert amassed 207 receptions for 2,964 yards and 19 touchdowns, establishing himself as a prolific wide receiver for the Trojans.[17] These totals included setting the USC all-time receptions record of 207, which stood until it was surpassed in later years.[17] His performance contributed significantly to USC's success, including their 2003 national championship season.[17] Colbert's statistical progression reflected his growing role on the team. As a freshman in 2000, he saw limited action but recorded 33 receptions for 480 yards and 3 touchdowns across 12 games.[3] In his sophomore year of 2001, he emerged as a more consistent contributor with 34 receptions for 442 yards and 2 touchdowns in 11 games.[3] By his junior season in 2002, Colbert broke out with 71 receptions for 1,029 yards and 5 touchdowns, earning second-team All-Pac-10 honors and ranking among the conference leaders in both categories.[17] As a senior in 2003, he maintained elite production with 69 receptions for 1,013 yards and a team-high 9 touchdowns over 13 games, once again securing second-team All-Pac-10 recognition.[18]| Year | Games | Receptions | Yards | Yards per Reception | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 12 | 33 | 480 | 14.5 | 3 |
| 2001 | 11 | 34 | 442 | 13.0 | 2 |
| 2002 | 13 | 71 | 1,029 | 14.5 | 5 |
| 2003 | 13 | 69 | 1,013 | 14.7 | 9 |
| Career | 49 | 207 | 2,964 | 14.3 | 19 |