THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE: Yankoff's versatility gives him a spot in NFL

There was a time, early in Colson Yankoff’s football career at Coeur d’Alene High, when he was competing with another player for the starting quarterback job. 

Both were good athletes, so to keep both on the field, coaches decided whoever wasn’t playing QB at the time would play wide receiver. 

So before Yankoff settled in as the Vikings’ starting quarterback, he was a part-time receiver. 

Who knew the Coeur d’Alene coaches were simply training him for a future career in the NFL? 

“I think starting out at quarterback just helps me with offensive schemes really well, which has been a huge help in playing other positions,” the 6-foot-4, 225-pound Yankoff told reporters for the Washington Commanders last week (courtesy of video posted on X by @BenStandig, Washington Commanders reporter for The Athletic), after he was named to the team’s 53-man roster. “Understanding and facing coverages, and timing, and those things. But there’s obviously some nuances to each of those positions that you’ve got to learn, and that’s what I’m out here trying to do right now.” 

YANKOFF’S NFL debut could come today, when the Commanders open the season at Tampa Bay at 1:25 p.m. PDT. 

NFL teams can only suit up 46 players each game, so seven of the 53 players on the roster will be designated as inactive shortly before the game. As with making the 53, being able to help the team in more than one area can’t hurt when it decides on the final 46 on game day. 

“He's a very versatile player," Washington head coach Dan Quinn said, in a story posted at Commanders.com. "So, (his) background actually started at quarterback. So, he's played quarterback, he's played running back, he's been a tight end. He's got extensive special teams background. So, when you're talking about a roster spot, when people can add value in different roles, that's a big deal."

After his Coeur d’Alene High days, Yankoff went from a quarterback at the University of Washington to a wide receiver at UCLA, to eventually a running back and kick returner for the Bruins — where he ranked third in the Pac-12 in average kickoff return yardage in 2023. 

This spring, he signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent, where he survived the final cutdown from 90 to 53 players a week and a half ago, and made the team as a tight end and special teams player. 

“Honestly, I was trying to stay away from my phone,” Yankoff said of the time waiting to hear if he’d made the team or not. “Play some card games with my friends, hang out, and whatever happened, happened.” 

And when he got the good news — from his agent, followed by a phone call to family? 

“Joy ... I was elated,” he said. “A little bit of disbelief, but super stoked. Something we’ve all worked really hard for, for a long time. It felt great.” 

Yankoff, who passed for 55 touchdowns and rushed for 43 scores in his Coeur d’Alene High career, is still learning the nuances of his new roles, which means extra time on the practice field.  

And that’s OK. 

“It’s just an absolute blessing,” he said. “I couldn’t be more stoked to be here. It’s an awesome group of people, from the top down. They did a phenomenal job, and I’m just really stoked to be a part of this team.” 

AS IT turned out, Yankoff never threw an official pass in a college game — and still made an NFL roster, a testament to his work ethic and willingness to adapt. 

Yankoff is a tight end and special teams player for now. But with the increased offensive creativity in today’s NFL, anything is possible, and Yankoff assured reporters that his arm still works. 

"Oh yeah," Yankoff said with a smile. “I hope they know that. We’re always ready.” 

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 208-664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @CdAPressSports.