Parker Jenkins is a running back for the East Carolina University (ECU) Pirates in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). As of January 2026 (following the 2025 season), he’s a junior who transferred to ECU and has since entered the transfer portal after a solid but rotational role in the Pirates’ backfield.
Background and High School
Jenkins hails from Houston, Texas, where he attended Klein Forest High School. He was a highly regarded recruit—a four-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals, ranked as the 35th-best running back nationally and 84th-overall player in Texas. He also excelled in track, posting a 10.80 in the 100-meter dash as a junior and 21.86 in the 200-meter as a sophomore. In football, he rushed for 820 yards in his high school career, with multiple 100+ yard games and over 700 total yards (rushing + receiving) in 2021, earning finalist honors for the Touchdown Club of Houston’s Offensive Player of the Year.
College Career
Houston (2023-2024): Jenkins burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2023, playing in all 12 games with 8 starts. He led the team in rushing with 99 carries for 464 yards (4.7 ypc) and 3 TDs (all in one game vs. Sam Houston, where he became the first UH player to account for 3 scores in his first start). He added 15 receptions for 81 yards and returned kicks. He earned Big 12 Honorable Mention Offensive Newcomer of the Year and was a Big 12 Newcomer of the Week. In 2024, he saw limited action (6 games, 1 start) with 17 carries for 34 yards.
East Carolina (2025): Transferred mid-year (enrolled January 2025) and contributed to a strong Pirates season (9-4 record, including a Military Bowl win over Pittsburgh). He appeared in 11 games, rushing 75 times for 256 yards (3.4 ypc) and 2 TDs, plus 9 receptions for 69 yards. He was part of a deep RB room (alongside Marlon Gunn Jr. and London Montgomery) that helped ECU rush for over 2,200 yards as a team. Named to the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list alongside teammates.
Here are some action shots of Parker Jenkins in his ECU Pirates uniform, showcasing his explosive running style: 0 “LARGE” 1 “LARGE” 5 “LARGE”
And a celebratory TD moment from a 2025 game: 6 “LARGE”
At 5’11” and 209 pounds, Jenkins brings a nice blend of speed, power, and receiving ability out of the backfield. With his track background, he’s also been used in kick returns earlier in his career. Recently, he’s entered the transfer portal (as noted in early 2026 reports), so he could be on the move for his final year(s) of eligibility—definitely a name to watch for programs needing RB depth!
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