Raheem Blackshear Bio
Raheem Blackshear (born June 5, 1998) is an American professional football running back and return specialist. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing approximately 190 pounds, he plays in the National Football League and has built his career on a blend of offensive touches and special teams contributions. After going undrafted in 2022, Blackshear has bounced between multiple franchises while steadily carving out a role as a change-of-pace back and a reliable returner.
Blackshear played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Virginia Tech Hokies before entering the professional ranks. He is best known for his time with the Carolina Panthers, where he scored his first NFL touchdown and emerged as a dependable special teams presence. His professional journey has also included stints with the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Early Life and Background
Raheem Blackshear was born on June 5, 1998, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Growing up in one of the most football-rich cities in the United States, he was exposed to the sport at a young age and developed his skills in local youth leagues before emerging as a high school prospect. Philadelphia’s strong football culture provided a natural backdrop for his early athletic development.
Blackshear attended Archbishop Wood High School, where he starred as a multi-purpose back and return man. His performance at Archbishop Wood helped him attract college attention and established him as a versatile player capable of contributing in multiple phases of the game. The foundation he built in high school set the stage for his transition to the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Blackshear began his collegiate career at Rutgers, where he played for the Scarlet Knights. His time at Rutgers allowed him to refine his skills as a running back and returner within a Big Ten conference schedule. After developing at Rutgers, he transferred to Virginia Tech, joining the Hokies and continuing to grow as an offensive weapon and special teams contributor.
Across his college stops, Blackshear demonstrated the versatility that would later define his professional profile. He handled rushing duties while also contributing in the return game, a dual-threat capability that caught the attention of NFL evaluators. Following his final college season, he declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Raheem Blackshear Career
Early Career (2022)
Raheem Blackshear signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. His initial opportunity in Buffalo offered him a chance to compete for a roster spot, though the Bills ultimately parted ways with him on August 30, 2022. The very next day, he was signed to the Bills’ practice squad, keeping his NFL dream alive.
Just three weeks later, on September 21, 2022, the Carolina Panthers signed Blackshear off the Buffalo practice squad. This move launched the most productive stretch of his young career and gave him a clear opportunity to contribute on both offense and special teams.
Carolina Panthers Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Blackshear wasted little time making an impact with the Panthers. On November 6, 2022, he scored his first NFL touchdown in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, a milestone that validated his transition to the professional level. By the end of the 2022 season, he had scored three rushing touchdowns and contributed on special teams as a kick returner.
In the 2023 season, Blackshear appeared in 12 games while continuing to handle special teams duties and a limited offensive role. His reliability as a returner and his steady development as a runner helped him remain a fixture on Panthers game-day rosters through 2024. On April 1, 2025, he re-signed with Carolina to a one-year contract, signaling the organization’s continued faith in his versatility.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2025–Present)
Blackshear’s 2025 campaign began with a return to Carolina, but he was waived on August 26 with an injury settlement as part of final roster cuts. Shortly afterward, on September 23, 2025, he was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad, though his time there was brief, as he was released on September 29.
On October 7, 2025, Blackshear signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad, joining a franchise looking to add depth at the running back and returner positions. He was released by the Steelers on October 28, continuing his active 2025 movement between organizations. His career arc illustrates the persistence required of a fringe-roster playmaker in today’s NFL.
Driving Style and Strengths
Blackshear is a compact, shifty running back whose game translates well to space and special teams duty. His combination of vision, lateral quickness, and open-field acceleration makes him effective on outside runs and in the return game, where acceleration and elusiveness matter most. Coaches have valued his willingness to contribute on coverage units as well as offense, a versatility that keeps him in consideration for practice-squad and active-roster opportunities.
Notable Events and Milestones
The signature moment of Blackshear’s career came on November 6, 2022, when he scored his first NFL touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. Finishing the 2022 season with three rushing touchdowns confirmed his ability to finish drives at the professional level. His rapid movement between four NFL organizations in a single calendar year also stands as a notable chapter in his professional journey.
Raheem Blackshear Career Wins
Raheem Blackshear’s professional career has been defined less by win totals and more by individual production milestones within multiple team environments. His verified offensive highlight remains the three rushing touchdowns he scored during the 2022 NFL season with the Carolina Panthers.
Carolina Panthers Highlights
Blackshear’s most productive stretch came in his first season with the Panthers, where he tallied three rushing touchdowns and handled kick return duties. He appeared in 12 games during the 2023 season while maintaining a special teams role. His consistent availability and dual-phase usage made him a valuable depth piece for Carolina over multiple seasons.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his Panthers tenure, Blackshear has logged practice-squad stints with the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Each opportunity reflected continued NFL interest in his skill set, even as active-roster spots remained elusive. His career trajectory underscores the value of perseverance for undrafted players seeking to establish themselves in the league.
Raheem Blackshear Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Raheem Blackshear was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a city known for its deep football tradition. Specific details about his parents and family background are not publicly documented in available verified sources.
Personal Life
Blackshear maintains a presence on social media, where fans can follow his professional updates. Verified information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition for Raheem Blackshear. He opened the year by re-signing with the Carolina Panthers on April 1, 2025, on a one-year contract, only to be waived on August 26 with an injury settlement as part of final roster cuts. The early-season turnover reflected the competitive nature of Panthers backfield decisions during training camp.
Blackshear quickly landed with the Tennessee Titans practice squad on September 23, 2025, though his stay was short-lived, as he was released just six days later on September 29. He found another opportunity on October 7, 2025, signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad, before being released on October 28.
Throughout 2025, Blackshear has remained in pursuit of an active-roster opportunity that allows him to showcase the versatility he has displayed throughout his NFL career. His continued movement between organizations highlights both his persistence and the value teams place on experienced return specialists and pass-catching backs.