Zachariah Charbonnet Bio
Zachariah Charbonnet is an American professional football running back who currently plays for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft, Charbonnet has established himself as a versatile dual-threat back capable of contributing both on the ground and through the air. His career trajectory from high school standout to college star at two major programs, Michigan and UCLA, showcases his adaptability and consistent production at every level of competition.
Early Life and Background
Charbonnet was born on January 8, 2001, in Bellflower, California, and grew up in Camarillo, California. His family background reflects a rich multicultural heritage. His mother, Seda Charbonnet, is of Cambodian and Chinese descent and immigrated to the United States from France. His father, Mark Charbonnet, is African-American. Notably, Charbonnet did not begin playing football until the seventh grade, demonstrating that his path to elite football came through relatively late development compared to many of his peers.
He attended Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, California, where he quickly established himself as an exceptional talent. During his high school career, Charbonnet accumulated 4,741 rushing yards and 62 total touchdowns. His junior year proved particularly impressive, as he recorded 2,049 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. Former Oaks Christian coach Jim Benkert praised Charbonnet as a complete player, noting his ability to take over games on either side of the ball and describing him as the best running back in the country at the high school level.
Path to American Football
Charbonnet entered the national spotlight as a highly decorated high school recruit. He received elite recruiting rankings from major services, including a No. 3 ranking from 247Sports.com, No. 4 from Rivals.com, and No. 6 from ESPN.com among running back prospects. His standout performances earned him an invitation to the prestigious Under Armour All-America Game in 2019. On June 23, 2018, prior to his senior year, Charbonnet made his college commitment, choosing to continue his football career at the University of Michigan.
At Michigan, Charbonnet faced an early setback when he underwent knee surgery shortly after enrolling in January 2019. He missed spring practice during his recovery but was cleared to play by late summer. This adversity would test his resilience and establish patterns of perseverance that would define his career. His dedication to returning from injury demonstrated the mental toughness required for success at the collegiate and professional levels.
Zachariah Charbonnet Career
Michigan Wolverines (2019–2020)
Charbonnet made an immediate impact upon his return to full health. He earned the starting running back role and opened the 2019 season with a strong performance, totaling 99 all-purpose yards including 90 rushing yards on just eight carries in the season opener. His breakthrough game came on September 7, 2019, against Army when he recorded his first 100-yard rushing game on 33 carries and scored three touchdowns, including his first collegiate touchdown, in a dramatic 24-21 double overtime victory.
Throughout the 2019 season, Charbonnet continued to display his versatility and scoring ability. Against Illinois on October 12, he became the first Michigan player since Karan Higdon to rush for over 100 yards in the first half, finishing with 116 yards on 18 carries. His performance against Maryland on November 2 was particularly historic, as he caught two receiving touchdowns and set a Michigan program record for most touchdowns by a freshman with 11 total scores. He concluded his freshman season with 726 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 149 carries.
The 2020 season was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a shortened schedule. Charbonnet appeared in five of Michigan’s six games, compiling 19 carries for 124 yards and one touchdown. In January 2021, he entered the NCAA transfer portal, seeking a fresh start at another program.
UCLA Bruins Breakthrough (2021–2022)
On January 30, 2021, Charbonnet announced his transfer to the University of California, Los Angeles, joining the UCLA Bruins. The 2021 season saw Charbonnet share rushing duties with Brittain Brown in a two-back system. When Brown suffered an injury during the rivalry game against USC, Charbonnet stepped up with season-high performances of 28 carries and 167 rushing yards. He surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season, finishing with 204 carries for 1,137 yards and 13 touchdowns. His conference performance earned him second-team All-Pac-12 honors, and the Associated Press recognized him as the Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year. He ranked second in the conference in rushing yards per game at 94.8.
Charbonnet returned to UCLA for his senior season in 2022 with a clear goal of cementing his legacy. He delivered a spectacular campaign that included multiple highlight performances. On September 24, he scored three rushing touchdowns in a 45-17 road victory over Colorado. His signature games came against ranked opponents, including a career-high 198 rushing yards on 22 carries with one touchdown in a 42-32 upset win over No. 11 Utah on October 8. He matched that career-high three weeks later against Stanford, gaining 198 yards on 21 carries while also leading the team with five receptions for 61 yards. Despite a tough loss to Arizona where he scored three touchdowns and rushed for 181 yards, Charbonnet’s overall body of work was exceptional.
His senior season totals of 1,359 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 195 carries, plus 37 receptions for 321 yards, solidified his status as an elite college back. He was named a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America as an all-purpose specialist. His 7.0 yards per carry ranked seventh nationally, and his 1,680 all-purpose yards ranked seventh highest in UCLA single-season history. He declared for the 2023 NFL draft, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility, which had been extended by the NCAA due to the pandemic-impacted 2020 season.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2023–Present)
The Seattle Seahawks selected Charbonnet in the second round, 52nd overall, of the 2023 NFL draft, recognizing his polished running style and proven production. He joined a Seattle backfield that featured Kenneth Walker III, establishing a rotation that would become a significant part of the Seahawks’ offensive identity. His rookie season was marked by gradual development and learning the nuances of the NFL game. He made his presence felt early, appearing in 16 games with two starts, and recorded his first NFL touchdown in Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys on a one-yard run in the second quarter of a hard-fought road game.
The 2024 season saw Charbonnet take significant strides in his development. In Week 3, he recorded his first multi-touchdown game, scoring twice on 18 carries for 91 yards in a dominant 24-3 home victory over the Miami Dolphins. His most impressive performance came in Week 14 when he eclipsed 100 rushing yards for the first time in his NFL career, carrying the ball 22 times for a season-high 134 yards and two touchdowns while adding seven receptions for 59 yards in a 30-18 road win over the Arizona Cardinals. He appeared in all 17 games with six starts, finishing with 569 rushing yards and eight touchdowns to complement his 42 receptions for 340 yards and one receiving score.
The 2025 season represented Charbonnet’s most productive professional campaign to that point. Despite splitting carries with Kenneth Walker III, who rushed for 1,027 yards, Charbonnet demonstrated exceptional efficiency and scoring ability. He compiled 730 rushing yards and led the team with 12 rushing touchdowns, showcasing his value as a red-zone weapon. The Seahawks’ playoff run ended dramatically when Charbonnet suffered a season-ending ACL tear during the divisional round victory over the San Francisco 49ers on January 19, 2026. Despite the injury, he achieved the pinnacle of his profession when the Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX, earning his first NFL championship ring.
Running Style and Strengths
Charbonnet possesses a balanced skill set that combines physicality with elusiveness. At 6-foot-1 and 214 pounds, he has the size to handle between-the-tackles running while maintaining the vision and agility to exploit cutback lanes. His patience allows him to read developing blocks before committing to a hole, a trait he refined during his college career. His receiving ability adds a dimension that keeps defenses honest, as he demonstrates reliable hands and route-running competence out of the backfield. His success in short-yardage and goal-line situations, evidenced by his team-leading 12 touchdowns in 2025, highlights his competitiveness and nose for the end zone.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several moments define Charbonnet’s early professional career. His first NFL touchdown against Dallas in 2023 marked his official arrival in the league. The 134-yard performance against Arizona in 2024 established him as a capable every-down back when called upon. The 2025 season, in which he led Seattle in rushing touchdowns, represented his emergence as a featured weapon despite the backfield rotation. The Super Bowl LX championship, achieved while battling through injury, represents the crowning achievement of his career thus far.
Zachariah Charbonnet Career Wins
Across his collegiate and professional career, Charbonnet has accumulated impressive statistical achievements that reflect his consistent production. His college career spanning Michigan and UCLA produced over 3,300 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns, while his NFL career has yielded over 1,700 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns through the 2025 season.
Professional Highlights
In the NFL, Charbonnet has steadily increased his impact since being drafted in 2023. His rookie season provided a foundation of 462 rushing yards and one touchdown plus 209 receiving yards. The 2024 season showed significant growth with 569 rushing yards and eight touchdowns to pair with 340 receiving yards. His 2025 campaign stands as his most productive, with 730 rushing yards and a team-leading 12 rushing touchdowns despite the shared backfield workload. His receiving totals of 95 career receptions for 693 yards and one touchdown demonstrate his reliability as a pass-catcher. The Super Bowl LX championship with the Seahawks represents the pinnacle of his professional accomplishments.
College Highlights
Charbonnet’s collegiate career was distinguished by consistent excellence across two major programs. At Michigan, his 2019 freshman season yielded 726 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, including a program record for a freshman. His 2020 was limited due to the pandemic but showed promise in limited opportunities. At UCLA, he elevated his game significantly, compiling 1,137 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021 to earn Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year honors. His 2022 senior season was spectacular, with 1,359 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns plus 321 receiving yards, earning him first-team All-American honors from the Football Writers Association of America. His combined college career produced 3,346 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns.
Zachariah Charbonnet Family
Family Background
Charbonnet’s family heritage reflects a diverse and multicultural background. His father, Mark Charbonnet, is African-American. His mother, Seda Charbonnet, brings Southeast Asian and Chinese heritage to the family, having immigrated to the United States from France. This multicultural upbringing in Camarillo, California, provided the foundation for Charbonnet’s development as both an athlete and individual. His late start in football, beginning only in seventh grade, speaks to his natural athleticism and rapid development as a player.
Personal Life
Charbonnet’s professional career is highlighted by his resilience, demonstrated most notably through his recovery from knee surgery early in his Michigan career and his determination to transfer and establish himself at UCLA. His ability to overcome setbacks and perform at elite levels across multiple programs exemplifies his mental toughness and dedication to his craft. As a Super Bowl champion with Seattle, he has achieved the highest honor in professional football early in his career while continuing to work toward expanded roles and contributions with his team.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marked a significant chapter in Charbonnet’s professional career as he emerged as one of the Seattle Seahawks’ most reliable offensive weapons. Splitting time in the backfield with Kenneth Walker III, Charbonnet carved out a distinct role as the team’s primary red-zone threat and short-yardage specialist. His 730 rushing yards came with remarkable efficiency, but his 12 touchdowns led the entire team and demonstrated his value in clutch situations. The chemistry between Charbonnet and the Seattle offense showed growth throughout the season as his comfort level in the system increased.
The season unfolded with Charbonnet consistently contributing meaningful performances week after week. His ability to stay healthy and productive across all 17 regular-season games provided the Seahawks with a reliable offensive foundation. The partnership between Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III created a complementary backfield dynamic that kept defenses guessing while maximizing the unique strengths of each player. Head coach Pete Carroll and the Seattle coaching staff demonstrated trust in Charbonnet by increasingly relying on him in critical situations as the season progressed.
The playoff run ended in heartbreak with Charbonnet’s ACL injury in the divisional round victory over the San Francisco 49ers on January 19, 2026. Despite the season-ending injury, the Seahawks’ subsequent Super Bowl LX victory provided Charbonnet with the ultimate team accomplishment. His resilience in contributing to a championship team while battling through physical challenges reflects the character and determination that have defined his football journey from his late start in seventh grade through his rise to NFL champion.