Zach Charbonnet Bio
Zachariah Charbonnet is an American professional football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 1 in and listed at 214 lb, he plays a physical, between-the-tackles style that fits the modern Seahawks offense. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and UCLA Bruins, earning an All-American selection from the Football Writers Association of America in 2022 and two All-Pac-12 honors with the Bruins. Charbonnet was selected by the Seahawks in the second round, 52nd overall, of the 2023 NFL draft and has developed into a key contributor alongside fellow back Kenneth Walker III.
Over his first three professional seasons, Charbonnet has become known for short-yardage production and reliable pass protection. He has already accumulated more than 1,700 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns in regular-season play and was part of the Seahawks roster that won Super Bowl LX over the New England Patriots.
Early Life and Background
Zach Charbonnet was born on January 8, 2001, in Bellflower, California, and grew up in nearby Camarillo. His mother, Seda Charbonnet, is part Cambodian and Chinese and immigrated to the United States from France, while his father, Mark Charbonnet, is African-American. His multicultural upbringing gave Charbonnet an early appreciation for discipline and education, traits that have followed him into his professional career.
Charbonnet did not begin playing organized football until the seventh grade, later than many elite prospects. He attended Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, California, where he became one of the most productive running backs in the program’s history. Over his high school career he tallied 4,741 rushing yards and 62 total touchdowns, including a junior season in which he recorded 2,049 yards and 23 scores.
His high school coach, Jim Benkert, called him a throwback player who competes hard on every snap and cares only about winning. Charbonnet was rated among the top running back recruits in the country, ranked No. 3 by 247Sports.com, No. 4 by Rivals.com, and No. 6 by ESPN.com, and he was invited to the 2019 Under Armour All-America Game. On June 23, 2018, he committed to play college football at the University of Michigan.
Path to American Football
Charbonnet enrolled at Michigan in January 2019 and immediately faced an early setback, undergoing knee surgery that kept him out of spring practice. By late summer he had recovered enough to earn the starting role as a true freshman, and he delivered right away in the Wolverines’ 2019 season opener with 90 rushing yards on eight carries.
His first signature college moment came on September 7, 2019, when he rushed for his first 100-yard game against Army, carrying 33 times and scoring three touchdowns in a 24–21 double-overtime victory. He set a Michigan freshman record with 11 total touchdowns during the season and earned third-team All-Big Ten recognition. In the COVID-shortened 2020 season he appeared in five games before announcing in January 2021 that he would enter the NCAA transfer portal.
On January 30, 2021, Charbonnet announced his transfer to the University of California, Los Angeles. Splitting carries with Brittain Brown in a two-back system, he topped 1,000 rushing yards as a junior, was named second-team All-Pac-12 by the conference’s coaches, and earned Associated Press Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year honors. The stage was set for a defining senior campaign in Westwood.
Zach Charbonnet Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Charbonnet’s development years came in Ann Arbor under the Michigan Wolverines program. As a freshman in 2019 he posted 149 carries for 726 yards and 11 touchdowns, immediately establishing himself as one of the Big Ten’s most promising young backs. His combination of vision, power, and burst made him a complementary option in Michigan’s run-heavy attack.
The 2020 season was limited to six games because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Charbonnet played in five of them, finishing with 19 carries for 124 yards and one touchdown. Although his statistical role shrank with the smaller schedule, his decision to transfer to UCLA in January 2021 opened a clearer path to a featured role in the Pac-12.
UCLA Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Charbonnet arrived at UCLA with something to prove and quickly delivered. Sharing the backfield with Brittain Brown, he rushed for a then season-high 167 yards and 28 carries against USC after Brown went down with an injury, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the season in the process. He finished the 2021 campaign with 204 carries for 1,137 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, ranking second in the Pac-12 at 94.8 yards per game.
His senior season in 2022 was the high point of his college career. On September 24, he scored three rushing touchdowns in a 45–17 road win over Colorado. On October 8, he erupted for 22 carries and a career-high 198 rushing yards with a score in a 42–32 upset of No. 11 Utah. Three weeks later he tied that career high against Stanford, again rushing for 198 yards and three touchdowns while adding five receptions for 61 yards in a 38–13 win. He closed the year with 195 carries for 1,359 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, plus 37 catches for 321 yards, and was named a first-team All-American as an all-purpose specialist by the Football Writers Association of America.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2023–Present)
Charbonnet was selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the 52nd pick of the 2023 NFL draft, beginning his professional career in the Pacific Northwest. As a rookie he appeared in 16 games with two starts, finishing with 108 carries for 462 yards, one rushing touchdown, and 33 receptions for 209 yards. His first NFL touchdown came in Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys on a one-yard rush.
His role expanded in 2024, when he played all 17 games with six starts and produced 135 carries for 569 yards and eight rushing touchdowns, adding 42 receptions for 340 yards and one receiving score. In 2025 he split work with Kenneth Walker III, who led the team with 1,027 rushing yards, while Charbonnet added 730 rushing yards and a team-leading 12 touchdowns. The campaign ended with a divisional-round victory over the San Francisco 49ers, though Charbonnet suffered a season-ending ACL tear during that game. He was part of the Seahawks team that beat the New England Patriots 29–13 in Super Bowl LX, winning his first NFL championship.
Driving Style and Strengths
Charbonnet is built like a workhorse at 6 ft 1 in and 214 lb, and his game reflects that frame. He excels at running between the tackles, finishing runs with physicality, and protecting the quarterback in passing situations. Coaches have praised his preparation and competitive toughness, which have made him a trusted option in short-yardage and goal-line packages.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Charbonnet’s career include his first 100-yard NFL game in Week 14 of 2024 against the Arizona Cardinals, when he ran for 134 yards and two scores, and his three-touchdown performances against Colorado and Stanford in 2022. His first Super Bowl title came in Super Bowl LX following the 2025 season.
Zach Charbonnet Career Wins
Charbonnet’s verified win totals include the Super Bowl LX championship with the Seattle Seahawks following the 2025 NFL season. He has not yet accumulated a multi-win season as a featured NFL back, but his touchdown production, particularly a team-leading 12 rushing scores in 2025, has been central to Seattle’s late-season success and postseason run.
Seattle Seahawks Highlights
In three seasons with the Seahawks, Charbonnet has appeared in regular-season games with both backup and starting responsibilities. He produced his first career 100-yard rushing game against the Arizona Cardinals in 2024 and reached double-digit rushing touchdowns for the first time in 2025. The defining team highlight came on January 19, 2026, when Seattle defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round, and then on to a 29–13 win over New England in Super Bowl LX.
Other Wins & Performances
Charbonnet’s two signature regular-season wins at the NFL level came in 2024 against the Miami Dolphins and the Arizona Cardinals, games in which he ran for a combined 225 yards and four touchdowns. His postseason success with the Seahawks capped a steady three-year climb from second-round pick to championship contributor.
Zach Charbonnet Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Charbonnet’s parents, Mark and Seda, have been central to his athletic development. Mark Charbonnet is African-American, and Seda Charbonnet is part Cambodian and Chinese and immigrated to the United States from France. The family settled in California, where Zach and his siblings grew up in Camarillo before he eventually moved on to college football at Michigan.
Personal Life
Charbonnet keeps his personal life largely private. He has been open about his cultural background and the influence of his parents on his character and work ethic. There is no verified public information on a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Charbonnet’s most productive year as a professional. Sharing the backfield with Kenneth Walker III, he rushed for 730 yards and scored a team-leading 12 rushing touchdowns, giving Seattle one of the league’s most balanced backfields. He appeared in every game of the regular season and continued to contribute as a pass catcher out of the backfield.
His late-season production carried into the playoffs, where the Seahawks eliminated the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round. Charbonnet suffered a season-ending ACL tear during that victory, but the team continued its run and defeated the New England Patriots 29–13 in Super Bowl LX, securing his first NFL championship.
Looking ahead, Charbonnet’s recovery from the ACL injury will shape Seattle’s 2026 backfield plans. His proven ability in short-yardage and goal-line situations, combined with his history of dependable production, leaves him well-positioned to reclaim a featured role once he returns to full health.
