Khari Blasingame

Khari Thomas Blasingame Bio

Khari Thomas Blasingame (born July 1, 1996) is an American professional football fullback who currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football for the Vanderbilt Commodores and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings in 2019. Blasingame has played for the Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears before joining the Eagles in December 2024. He achieved the pinnacle of professional football when the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX, earning his first championship ring.

Early Life and Background

Khari Thomas Blasingame was born on July 1, 1996, in Huntsville, Alabama. He attended Buckhorn High School in New Market, Alabama, where he became a two-year captain and a two-way starter, playing both safety and running back. In his senior year at Buckhorn High School, Blasingame recorded 64 tackles, two interceptions, 966 rushing yards, and 10 touchdowns, demonstrating the dual-threat ability that would define his playing style.

As a three-star safety prospect, Blasingame received multiple college offers before committing to Vanderbilt University. He also received scholarship offers from the University of Minnesota and Northwestern University. His selection of Vanderbilt set the stage for his transition from the defensive side of the ball to an offensive role that would shape his professional career.

Path to American Football

Blasingame signed with Vanderbilt University in 2015 as a linebacker. He started seven games in his freshman year, recording 12 total tackles. The coaching staff eventually transitioned him to halfback, the position he had played in high school, which unlocked his offensive potential. Blasingame experienced significantly more success at his new position.

During his sophomore season, he started 13 games and carried the ball 97 times for 446 yards and 10 touchdowns, showcasing his ability as a reliable ball carrier. As a junior, he started 10 games and rushed 45 times for 147 yards while also catching six passes for 52 yards and a touchdown. His versatility as both a rusher and receiver became a defining characteristic of his game.

In his senior season, Blasingame became a full-time starter and took 96 carries for 400 yards and five touchdowns, along with 25 catches for 320 yards and another touchdown. His performance throughout his Vanderbilt career earned him recognition as the Arthur Ashe Jr. Male Sports Scholar in 2019 by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. Across his four collegiate seasons, he compiled 238 rushing attempts for 993 yards and 15 touchdowns, plus 31 receptions for 372 yards and two touchdowns.

Khari Thomas Blasingame Career

Minnesota Vikings (2019)

After going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, Blasingame signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings on May 3, 2019. He competed for a roster spot during training camp but was waived on August 31, 2019, during final roster cuts. The Vikings immediately signed him to their practice squad the following day, keeping him in the organization as he continued to develop.

Tennessee Titans (2019-2021)

On November 13, 2019, the Tennessee Titans signed Blasingame to their active roster off the Vikings practice squad. This move marked the beginning of his transition to the fullback position, where his blocking ability and versatility became increasingly valuable. In Week 14 of his rookie season, he caught two passes for 47 yards against the Oakland Raiders, demonstrating his soft hands and receiving skills.

Blasingame became a reliable contributor for the Titans over the following seasons. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on October 4, 2020, and was activated from the list on October 16 of that year. On March 5, 2021, he signed a one-year contract extension with the Titans, reflecting the team’s confidence in his abilities. He was placed on injured reserve on November 6, 2021, and was activated on November 27, completing his third season with the franchise.

Chicago Bears (2022-2024)

On March 22, 2022, Blasingame signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears. He quickly became an integral part of their offensive scheme and signed a two-year contract extension on March 8, 2023. During the Bears Week 5 matchup against the Washington Commanders in 2023, Blasingame served as the emergency running back following injuries to the team’s three running backs. He carried the ball eight times for 26 yards in that game, marking a significant moment since he had only three rushing attempts in his entire career prior to that contest.

Blasingame continued to provide depth and versatility throughout his tenure with the Bears. On October 25, 2024, he was released by the Bears after the team began using center Doug Kramer Jr. as their fullback. In the 2024 regular season with Chicago, he played five games and recorded one special teams tackle while contributing on both offense and special teams units.

Philadelphia Eagles (2024-Present)

On December 3, 2024, Blasingame signed with the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad. He was signed to replace Eagles fullback Ben VanSumeren after the latter suffered a knee injury. Blasingame played in three games for the Eagles during the 2024 regular season, contributing on offense and special teams.

He was elevated from the practice squad for the postseason and played in all of the Eagles playoff games. The Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX, giving Blasingame his first Super Bowl championship ring. The victory marked the culmination of his journey from an undrafted free agent in 2019 to a champion six years later.

Playing Style and Strengths

Blasingame’s unique background as a collegiate running back who transitioned to fullback gives him a distinctive skill set. His experience carrying the ball provides him with soft hands and reliable receiving ability, allowing him to contribute as a check-down option when needed. His size at 6-foot-0 and 233 pounds enables him to deliver effective lead blocks as a fullback while his instincts from his defensive background help him read plays and contribute on special teams.

Notable Events and Milestones

The defining moment of Blasingame’s career came in February 2025 when he won Super Bowl LIX with the Philadelphia Eagles. His emergency running back performance against the Washington Commanders in 2023, where he stepped in after three backs were injured and gained 26 yards on eight carries, demonstrated his readiness when called upon. His journey from Vanderbilt to the NFL, through multiple teams, and ultimately to a Super Bowl championship showcases his resilience and adaptability in a competitive league.

Khari Thomas Blasingame Career Statistics

Blasingame has appeared in 63 games throughout his NFL career, contributing as both a rusher and receiver while serving as a core special teams player. His statistical contributions reflect his role as a complementary offensive player rather than a primary ball carrier.

NFL Career Highlights

Across his NFL seasons through 2024, Blasingame has recorded 13 rushing attempts for 32 yards and 13 receptions for 99 yards. He has also contributed 13 tackles on defense. His performance in the 2023 season against Washington, where he stepped in at running back and gained 26 yards on eight attempts, stands out as a memorable contribution given his limited rushing history. His role in the Eagles playoff run and Super Bowl LIX victory represents the highest achievement of his professional career.

Collegiate Career Recap

At Vanderbilt from 2015 to 2018, Blasingame evolved from a linebacker to a productive offensive player. His senior season was his most complete, with 400 rushing yards and five touchdowns to go along with 320 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air. His 10-touchdown sophomore season remains one of the highlights of his collegiate career and helped establish his reputation as a versatile back.

Family

Family Background

Blasingame grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, where he attended Buckhorn High School. His athletic ability was evident early on, as he starred at multiple positions during his high school career. Beyond his athletic pursuits, details about his family members remain private and are not extensively documented in public sources.

Personal Life

Blasingame maintains an active presence on social media, where he connects with fans through his verified accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2019 after completing his collegiate football career. As a professional athlete, he has demonstrated the adaptability and persistence required to build a lasting career in the NFL.

2025 Season Performance

Blasingame enters the 2025 season with the Philadelphia Eagles as a veteran fullback following his Super Bowl LIX championship. Having earned a roster spot through his performance in the 2024 postseason, he provides depth at the fullback position while contributing on special teams. His experience from playing for four different NFL franchises gives him valuable versatility and football intelligence that the Eagles coaching staff can utilize.

The Eagles are counting on Blasingame to serve as a reliable lead blocker and special teams contributor throughout the 2025 season. His ability to step in at running back when needed, as he demonstrated with the Bears, adds another dimension to his value on the roster. The chemistry he develops with his new teammates and coaching staff will be important as he aims to build on his championship season and contribute to the Eagles continued success.

Blasingame’s journey from an undrafted free agent in 2019 to a Super Bowl champion represents the resilience required to carve out a career in the NFL. At 29 years old, he remains in the prime of his professional career and brings a wealth of experience to the Eagles locker room. His story serves as an inspiration to players who must overcome adversity and prove themselves throughout their careers.