John Parker Romo has solidified his place as a notable kicker through his impressive collegiate football career, particularly during his time with the Virginia Tech Hokies. His consistent performance and powerful leg have earned him recognition and accolades, marking him as a player to watch.
Romo’s 2021 season was a testament to his kicking prowess. He demonstrated exceptional accuracy, successfully converting 18 of 22 field goal attempts. Notably, seven of these successful field goals were from distances exceeding 40 yards, showcasing his range and reliability in pressure situations. His longest successful kick of the year was a remarkable 52-yard field goal against Notre Dame (10/9), highlighting his capability to deliver under the spotlight. In the same season, he proved automatic on extra points, making all 34 of his attempts. By the season’s end, Romo had accumulated a total of 88 points, underscoring his significant contribution to the team’s scoring efforts. His kickoff duties were also noteworthy; he executed 64 kickoffs, with nearly half, 30, resulting in touchbacks, demonstrating his ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory. His season highlights included multiple field goals in games against North Carolina (48 yards, 9/3), Syracuse (48 yards, 10/23), and Georgia Tech (career-high four field goals, 10/30), further cementing his role as a key offensive weapon for the Hokies. Against Duke (11/13), he was near perfect, making two out of three field goal attempts, including a 51-yarder, and all six extra-point attempts. His clutch kicking continued late in the season with game-winning field goals, including a 38-yarder against Virginia (11/27).
In the 2020 season, Romo’s role primarily focused on kickoffs. Across all 11 games, he handled kickoff duties, booting the ball 55 times. An impressive 35 of these kickoffs resulted in touchbacks, illustrating his consistency in generating deep kicks and limiting return opportunities for opponents. His average kickoff distance was an impressive 62.7 yards per attempt, further emphasizing his leg strength.
The 2019 season saw Romo again as the Hokies’ kickoff specialist in all 13 games. He recorded 69 kickoffs, with a significant 46 of them being touchbacks. His average kickoff distance slightly increased to 64.1 yards. During a game against Notre Dame (11/2), Romo showcased his versatility by filling in for an injured punter. He punted eight times for a total of 354 yards, averaging 44.3 yards per punt, with a long punt of 58 yards and placing two punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Before joining Virginia Tech, Romo played at the University of Tulsa under Coach Phillip Montgomery. As a walk-on, he quickly made an impact, leading Tulsa’s kickoff coverage unit, which was ranked number one in the American Athletic Conference. During his time at Tulsa, he averaged 61.1 yards per kickoff and recorded 28 touchbacks. He also attempted five field goals, converting two with a long of 34 yards. Prior to Tulsa, Romo played at the University of Central Arkansas in 2017, where he averaged 56.0 yards per kick on 44 kickoffs.
Romo’s football journey began at McIntosh High School under Coach Lee Belknap. He earned two letters and achieved First-team District honors as both a placekicker and punter. Beyond football, he was also involved in soccer and track and field, showcasing his athletic versatility. Academically, Romo holds a degree in economics and is pursuing a Master’s in instructional technology, and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, demonstrating his commitment to academics. He is married to his wife, Lauren. John Parker Romo’s journey reflects dedication and consistent improvement, marking him as a successful specialist in collegiate football.
