Zachariah Charbonnet Bio
Zachariah Charbonnet is an American professional football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and UCLA Bruins, earning an All-Pac-12 Conference selection twice with UCLA and an All-American selection by the Football Writers Association of America in 2022. Charbonnet was selected by the Seahawks in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Early Life and Background
Zach Charbonnet was born on January 8, 2001, in Bellflower, California. He grew up in Camarillo, California, where he was raised by his parents, Mark and Seda Charbonnet. His mother is part Cambodian and Chinese and immigrated to the United States from France, while his father is African-American. Charbonnet did not begin playing football until the seventh grade, which marked the beginning of his journey in the sport. He attended Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, California, where he excelled as a running back, accumulating 4,741 rushing yards and 62 total touchdowns during his high school career. His impressive performance included a standout junior year in which he recorded 2,049 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. Former Oaks Christian coach Jim Benkert praised Charbonnet, stating that he was one of the best running backs in the country and a player who competes at a high level on every play.
Charbonnet was highly regarded as one of the top running back prospects in the nation, earning rankings of No. 3 by 247Sports.com, No. 4 by Rivals.com, and No. 6 by ESPN.com. His talent earned him an invitation to the 2019 Under Armour All-America Game. On June 23, 2018, prior to his senior year, Charbonnet committed to play college football at the University of Michigan.
Path to American Football
After enrolling at the University of Michigan in January 2019, Charbonnet underwent knee surgery, which caused him to miss spring practice. However, he recovered in time for the late summer and made an immediate impact on the field. He started at running back in Michigan’s 2019 season opener, where he totaled 99 all-purpose yards. In the following weeks, he showcased his skills, including a notable performance against Army where he recorded his first collegiate 100-yard rushing game and three touchdowns in a double overtime victory. Charbonnet concluded his freshman season with 149 carries for 726 yards and 11 touchdowns, setting a Michigan program record for most touchdowns by a freshman.
During the 2020 season, which was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Charbonnet played in five of six games, totaling 19 carries for 124 yards and one touchdown. In January 2021, he announced his intent to transfer and entered the NCAA transfer portal, seeking a new opportunity to further his career.
Zachariah Charbonnet Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
Charbonnet transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles, on January 30, 2021. In his first season with the Bruins, he shared rushing duties in a two-back system. He had a breakout game against USC, recording season-highs in carries and rushing yards while surpassing 1,000 yards for the season. His performance earned him second-team All-Pac-12 honors and recognition as the conference’s newcomer of the year. Charbonnet finished the 2021 season with 204 carries for 1,137 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, ranking second in the conference in rushing yards per game.
In January 2022, Charbonnet announced he would return to UCLA for his senior season. He continued to impress, scoring multiple touchdowns in several games and finishing the season with 195 carries for 1,359 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. His remarkable performance earned him first-team All-American honors as an all-purpose specialist and solidified his status as one of the top running backs in college football.
Breakthrough (2023-Present)
Charbonnet declared for the 2023 NFL draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round, 52nd overall. In his rookie season, he made an immediate impact, appearing in 16 games and starting in two. He scored his first NFL touchdown in Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys and finished the season with 108 carries for 462 yards and one rushing touchdown, along with 33 receptions for 209 yards.
In the 2024 season, Charbonnet continued to build on his success, achieving his first multi-touchdown game and his first career game with over 100 rushing yards. He finished the season with 135 carries for 569 yards and eight rushing touchdowns, along with 42 receptions for 340 yards and one receiving touchdown.
Notable Works and Milestones
Zachariah Charbonnet’s signature achievements include being named a First-team All-American and earning multiple All-Pac-12 selections. His transition from college football to the NFL has been marked by impressive performances and a growing reputation as a talented running back.
Zachariah Charbonnet Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Zachariah Charbonnet has received several nominations for his outstanding performances in college football, including All-Pac-12 and All-American honors.
Zachariah Charbonnet Awards Won
Zachariah Charbonnet has achieved significant recognition in his football career, including being named a First-team All-American in 2022 and earning All-Pac-12 selections in 2021 and 2022. His accolades reflect his skill and dedication to the sport.
