Parker Jenkins Enters Transfer Portal After One Season at ECU
East Carolina running back Parker Jenkins has decided to enter the transfer portal following one season in Greenville.
Jenkins transferred to ECU ahead of the 2025 season after beginning his career at Houston and was immediately part of the Pirates’ backfield rotation. He opened the year near the top of the depth chart and made three starts, coming against Campbell, Coastal Carolina, and BYU.
Role Shift as Season Progressed
As the season wore on, Jenkins’ workload gradually declined. The emergence of redshirt freshman T.J. Engleman, along with steady production from London Montgomery and senior Marlon Gunn Jr., pushed Jenkins down the rotation.
Played 24+ snaps in four of ECU’s first five games
Did not exceed 15 snaps in any of the final seven contests
Despite the reduced role, Jenkins remained with the team through the postseason and appeared in the Military Bowl win over Pitt, logging five carries for 18 yards.
2025 Production
In his lone season with the Pirates, Jenkins appeared in 11 games and finished with:
75 rushing attempts
268 rushing yards
2 touchdowns
3.4 yards per carry
Background & Advanced Metrics
The 5-foot-11, 209-pound back had his most productive collegiate season as a true freshman at Houston in 2023, rushing for 464 yards and three touchdowns on 4.7 yards per carry.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jenkins posted solid efficiency numbers during the 2025 campaign:
70.0 overall offensive grade
72.8 rushing grade
14 missed tackles forced
192 yards after contact
What It Means for ECU’s RB Room
Jenkins’ departure continues a reshaping of ECU’s running back group this offseason:
Marlon Gunn Jr. has graduated
London Montgomery entered the portal after the season
T.J. Engleman is expected to take on a larger role in 2026
Dejuan Lacy has announced his return but is rehabbing a major knee injury
The room will also be under new leadership, as running backs coach Rodney Freeman II recently departed for Duke.