Keary Colbert

Patrick Keary Jerel Colbert (born May 21, 1982) is an American professional football coach and former player who was most recently the wide receivers coach for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Colbert played in the NFL as a wide receiver.

Colbert played college football for the USC Trojans. He was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2004 NFL draft. He also played for the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Florida Tuskers, Sacramento Mountain Lions, and Kansas City Chiefs.

Early life

Colbert attended Hueneme High School in Oxnard, California,^[1][2] and was a letterman in football and track. He also lettered in basketball as a sophomore. Colbert also attended Sunkist Elementary and E.O. Green Junior High School. He played football as a youth for the Port Hueneme Rhinos.

College career

He attended University of Southern California, where he was a star wide receiver. In his final year at USC (2003), Colbert made an unbelievable catch while he was interfered by a defender in the Rose Bowl against University of Michigan, broke away and walked into the end zone for a touchdown. Colbert's 149 yards in the Rose Bowl were a career-high. The effort helped USC capture the AP National Championship. Colbert caught at least one pass in his final 36 games, and left USC as the school's all-time leader in pass receptions, passing Kareem Kelly with 207. He earned All-Pac-10 second-team honors his senior year and finished second on the team with 69 receptions for 1,013 yards and nine touchdowns.

Professional career

Carolina Panthers

Colbert was the Carolina Panthers' second round pick in the 2004 NFL draft.^[3] With the Panthers, he stepped into the 2nd receiver spot when Steve Smith was injured. He filled in nicely, with 47 catches for 754 yards and 5 touchdowns. On Oct 10, Colbert recorded 4 receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown against the Denver Broncos, setting a franchise rookie record with 28.7 yards/reception.^[4]

With high expectations for Colbert in the 2005 season, he struggled catching 25 passes for 282 yards and 2 touchdowns.^[5] In 2006, Colbert was often inactive late in the season, and following a mediocre 2007 campaign, was placed on injured reserve.

Denver Broncos

On March 1, 2008, he signed with the Denver Broncos to a three-year, $7.2 million contract, including a $2.5 million signing bonus.

Seattle Seahawks

On September 16, 2008, Colbert was acquired from the Denver Broncos by the Seattle Seahawks for a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2009 NFL draft.^[6] Colbert was released by the Seahawks on November 11.

Detroit Lions

Colbert was signed by the Detroit Lions on December 1, 2008, after wide receiver Mike Furrey was placed on injured reserve. On May 7, 2009, he was re-signed by Detroit.^[7] On September 5, Colbert was cut from the team.^[8]

Sacramento Mountain Lions

On June 12, 2011, Colbert signed with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League.

Kansas City Chiefs

On August 10, 2011, Colbert signed with the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was waived by the Chiefs on November 23.

Coaching career

USC

In 2010, Colbert was hired as the assistant tight ends coach at USC, a position he held for only one season.^[9]

Georgia State

In 2013, Colbert was the assistant wide receivers coach at Georgia State.^[10]

Alabama

Colbert served as the offensive analyst at Alabama during their 2014 and 2015 seasons. He helped the Crimson Tide win two SEC titles and a national championship in 2015 season^[11]

USC (second stint)

In 2016, Colbert returned to the USC coaching staff as an offensive analyst. In 2018, Colbert became the program's tight ends coach. In 2019, Colbert was named as the team's receivers coach.^[11]

Florida

On December 15, 2021, Colbert was named as wide receivers coach at Florida, joining the staff of first year head coach Billy Napier.^[12]

Denver Broncos

On February 23, 2023, the Denver Broncos hired Colbert to serve as the team's wide receivers coach under head coach Sean Payton.^[13]

Baltimore Ravens

On February 11, 2026, the Baltimore Ravens hired Colbert to serve as the team's wide receivers coach under newly-hired head coach Jesse Minter.^[14]

References

1. ^ "Keary Colbert - Assistant Coach-Receivers - Staff Directory". Georgia State University. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
2. ^ Register, OC Disney Staff | Orange County & Register, News Reports | Orange County (2016-02-27). "Reports: USC adds former star receiver Keary Colbert to football staff". Orange County Register. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
3. ^ "2004 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
4. ^ As of 2017, this remains the Panther's record for rookies with a minimum of 4 receptions in a game.
5. ^ "Keary Colbert 2005 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
6. ^ Klis, Mike (2008-09-16). "Broncos ship WR Colbert to Seattle". The Denver Post. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
7. ^ "Detroit Lions Site: PressBox - Transactions". Archived from the original on April 17, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2009.
8. ^ NFL News seattlepi.com ^{[dead link]}
9. ^ "USC 2010 Media Guide". CSTV.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
10. ^ "Keary Colbert Bio". GeorgiaStateSports.com. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
11. ^ Evans, Thayer (2016-02-27). "Former Trojans WR Colbert joins USC staff". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
12. ^ Hutchison, Matthew (December 15, 2021). "Napier Adds Keary Colbert as Wide Receivers Coach". Florida Gators Athleteics. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
13. ^ "Broncos to hire Keary Colbert as wide receivers coach". nbcsports.com. Retrieved March 31, 2026.
14. ^ "Reports: Ravens Hiring Keary Colbert as Wide Receivers Coach". baltimoreravens.com. Retrieved March 31, 2026.

External links

• USC Trojans bio Archived February 24, 2008 at the Wayback Machine