Raheem Blackshear Bio
Raheem Blackshear (born June 5, 1998) is an American professional football running back and return specialist. He is best known for his time in the National Football League (NFL), where he has contributed on offense, on special teams, and as a kick returner. After going undrafted in 2022, he built his career through practice squads and short stints with multiple franchises.
Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing about 190 pounds, Blackshear has carved out a role as a versatile back with speed and vision. His career has included stops with the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New York Jets, and most recently the Columbus Aviators of the United Football League (UFL).
Early Life and Background
Raheem Blackshear was born on June 5, 1998, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Growing up in a city with a deep football culture, he developed an early passion for the sport. He attended Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster, Pennsylvania, where he played football and gained recognition as a talented running back.
His high school performance drew attention from college programs, and he eventually committed to play for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Coming from a family and community that valued athletics, Blackshear carried a strong work ethic and a team-first mentality into his college career.
Path to American Football
Blackshear began his college career at Rutgers, where he played for the Scarlet Knights from 2017 to 2019. During his time with the program, he developed as a running back and returner, showing the kind of open-field quickness that would later define his professional role. He used his Rutgers years to refine his vision, footwork, and pass-catching skills out of the backfield.
Looking for a fresh start and a chance to expand his role, Blackshear transferred to Virginia Tech, where he played for the Hokies from 2020 to 2021. At Virginia Tech, he became a more complete back, contributing in the running game while also serving as a return specialist. His college production positioned him as an intriguing undrafted prospect heading into the 2022 NFL cycle.
Raheem Blackshear Career
Early Career (2022)
Following the 2022 NFL Draft, Blackshear signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. He spent the early part of the offseason program learning the Bills’ system and competing for a depth role in the backfield. On August 30, 2022, he was waived as part of roster trimming before the regular season.
The Bills signed him to their practice squad the following day, keeping him within their development pipeline. That short stay in Buffalo gave him his first taste of an NFL environment and prepared him for the next opportunity that would soon arrive.
Carolina Panthers Breakthrough (2022–2024)
On September 21, 2022, Blackshear was signed off the Bills’ practice squad by the Carolina Panthers, giving him a path to active game action. Less than two months later, on November 6, he scored his first NFL touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, announcing his arrival as a goal-line option for Carolina. He finished the 2022 season with three rushing touchdowns, while also contributing on special teams as a kick returner.
In the 2023 season, Blackshear appeared in 12 games, maintaining a role that blended limited offensive snaps with a larger special teams workload. He continued to show value as a returner, where his quickness and field awareness made him a steady presence. On April 1, 2025, he re-signed with the Panthers on a one-year contract, but was waived on August 26 with an injury settlement as part of the league’s final roster cuts.
Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2025)
On September 23, 2025, Blackshear was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad, looking to reignite his career with a new organization. His time in Tennessee was brief, however, as he was released by the Titans on September 29. The quick turnaround did not give him long to settle into the Titans’ system.
Just over a week later, on October 7, 2025, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad, adding another chapter to his 2025 journeyman season. Blackshear was released by the Steelers on October 28, closing out another short stint. Through these moves, he demonstrated the persistence required to stay in professional football.
New York Jets and Columbus Aviators (2025–2026)
On December 30, 2025, Blackshear was signed to the New York Jets practice squad, joining his fifth NFL organization. The late-season move offered him a chance to finish the year within a Jets program and stay ready for any active-roster opportunity.
On January 14, 2026, Blackshear was selected by the Columbus Aviators during the UFL free agent draft, taking his career to spring professional football. He was released by the Aviators on February 5, 2026. Across his professional career so far, he has accumulated 138 rushing yards, 138 receiving yards, three rushing touchdowns, and 1,934 return yards, underscoring his value as a multi-phase contributor.
Driving Style and Strengths
Blackshear’s game is built around quickness, balance, and pass-catching ability out of the backfield. He excels in space, using his 5-foot-9 frame to hide behind blockers and explode through creases. On special teams, his vision and decisiveness allow him to read blocks and maximize return yardage, making him a reliable option for teams seeking a third-phase weapon.
Notable Events and Milestones
His first NFL touchdown on November 6, 2022, against the Cincinnati Bengals stands as a career-defining moment. Finishing his rookie season with three rushing touchdowns and significant return yardage also marked a strong debut. His selection by the Columbus Aviators in the 2026 UFL free agent draft added another milestone, reflecting continued demand for his services.
Raheem Blackshear Career Wins
While Blackshear has not been a featured workhorse back, his career impact has come through touchdowns, return yardage, and special teams reliability. Across his NFL stops, he has posted three rushing touchdowns and accumulated 1,934 return yards, a mark that highlights his value as a return specialist. His ability to contribute in multiple phases has been the defining theme of his professional résumé.
NFL Highlights
Blackshear’s first career rushing touchdown came against the Cincinnati Bengals on November 6, 2022, and he added two more scores later that same season. He has remained a consistent presence on kick return units, with his 1,934 career return yards serving as one of his most measurable on-field contributions. His appearances with the Panthers in 2022 and 2023 showcased his growth from an undrafted signing to a trusted special teams contributor.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the NFL, Blackshear has been recognized for his college production at Rutgers and Virginia Tech, where his development laid the foundation for his professional path. His selection in the 2026 UFL free agent draft by the Columbus Aviators also represents a notable off-field achievement, illustrating his standing within the broader professional football landscape.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers (NFL) | 3 | — | — |
Raheem Blackshear Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Raheem Blackshear’s immediate family remains limited. He grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a region with a strong football tradition, and that environment helped shape his path into the sport. Detailed records about his parents or extended family members have not been widely published.
Personal Life
Blackshear has kept much of his personal life away from the public spotlight. There is no widely confirmed public information regarding a spouse or children. His social media presence, including his verified Instagram account, offers only occasional glimpses into his life beyond football.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of movement for Blackshear, beginning with his re-signing with the Carolina Panthers on April 1. He was waived on August 26 with an injury settlement as part of the league’s final roster cuts, ending his second stint in Carolina. From there, he transitioned to a series of practice squad opportunities, starting with the Tennessee Titans on September 23.
After a short release from the Titans on September 29, he was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad on October 7, only to be released on October 28. The pattern reflected the difficult reality of practice squad movement, where timing, fit, and team needs constantly shape a player’s path.
Blackshear closed the year by joining the New York Jets practice squad on December 30, 2025, then pivoted to spring football when the Columbus Aviators selected him in the 2026 UFL free agent draft on January 14, 2026. Looking ahead, his outlook centers on continuing to leverage his return skills and versatility to secure a more stable roster role.
