Zach Charbonnet Bio
Zachariah Charbonnet, born on January 8, 2001, is an American professional football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). A second-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Charbonnet played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and the UCLA Bruins, where he earned two All-Pac-12 Conference selections and an All-American honor in 2022. He has quickly developed into a key contributor in Seattle’s backfield, known for his physical running style and reliable hands as a receiver.
Early Life and Background
Zach Charbonnet was born on January 8, 2001, in Bellflower, California, and grew up in nearby Camarillo. He is the son of Mark Charbonnet, who is African-American, and Seda Charbonnet, who is of Cambodian and Chinese heritage and immigrated to the United States from France. His diverse family background has shaped his identity, and he has spoken about embracing his multicultural roots throughout his career.
Charbonnet did not begin playing football until the seventh grade, a relatively late start for a future professional athlete. He attended Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, California, where he became one of the most productive running backs in the program’s history. During his high school career, he tallied 4,741 rushing yards and 62 total touchdowns, including a standout junior season in which he recorded 2,049 yards and 23 scores. His high school coach, Jim Benkert, praised Charbonnet’s competitive drive, calling him a throwback player who cared more about winning than statistics.
Rated among the top running back prospects in the country, Charbonnet was ranked No. 3 by 247Sports.com, No. 4 by Rivals.com, and No. 6 by ESPN.com. He was also invited to play in 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
Charbonnet’s journey to elite-level football began at Oaks Christian School, where his combination of size, speed, and vision quickly set him apart from his peers. Despite not playing the sport until seventh grade, his rapid development drew national attention from major college programs. His commitment to Michigan in June 2018 marked the first major step toward a collegiate career at one of the sport’s most storied programs.
Shortly after enrolling at Michigan in January 2019, Charbonnet underwent knee surgery and missed spring practice while recuperating. By late summer, he had recovered and was ready to compete for a starting role. His path continued at UCLA after he transferred in January 2021, where he blossomed into one of the conference’s premier backs. With the Bruins, Charbonnet shared rushing duties in a two-back system, demonstrating the versatility and toughness that would later translate to the professional level.
Zach Charbonnet Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Charbonnet started at running back in Michigan’s 2019 season opener, totaling 99 all-purpose yards in a strong debut for the Wolverines. On September 7, 2019, against Army, he recorded his first 100-yard rushing game with 33 carries and scored three touchdowns, including his first collegiate score, in a 24–21 double-overtime victory. He continued to produce throughout the season, setting a Michigan program record for most touchdowns by a freshman with 11. Charbonnet concluded the 2019 season with 149 carries for 726 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors.
During the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, Charbonnet played in five of Michigan’s six games, totaling 19 carries for 124 yards and one touchdown. With limited opportunities and a desire for a larger role, he entered the NCAA transfer portal in January 2021, setting the stage for his move to UCLA and a significant career resurgence.
UCLA Breakthrough (2021–2022)
On January 30, 2021, Charbonnet announced his intention to transfer to the University of California, Los Angeles. During the 2021 season, he and Brittain Brown shared the Bruins’ rushing duties in a productive two-back system. Charbonnet finished the year with 204 carries for 1,137 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, ranking second in the Pac-12 in rushing yards per game at 94.8. He was voted second-team All-Pac-12 by the conference’s coaches and named the Associated Press newcomer of the year. A season-high performance came against USC, when he rushed for 167 yards on 28 carries and surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the season.
On January 14, 2022, Charbonnet announced he would return to UCLA for his senior season, and the decision paid immediate dividends. He opened the year with three rushing touchdowns in a 45–17 road win over Colorado and followed that with a career-high 198 yards on 22 carries against No. 11 Utah. He later tied that career high with 198 rushing yards against Stanford, adding three touchdowns and five receptions for 61 yards in a 38–13 win. Charbonnet finished his senior season with 195 carries for 1,359 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns, while catching 37 passes for 321 yards. His 1,680 all-purpose yards ranked seventh in UCLA single-season history, and he was named a first-team All-American as an all-purpose specialist by the Football Writers Association of America. After the season, he declared for the 2023 NFL draft, forgoing his remaining year of eligibility.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2023–Present)
Charbonnet was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round, 52nd overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 16 games with two starts, finishing with 108 carries for 462 yards and one rushing touchdown, along with 33 receptions for 209 yards. His first NFL touchdown came in Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys on a one-yard rush in a 35–41 road loss.
In his second professional season, Charbonnet took a significant step forward. In Week 3 of the 2024 season against the Miami Dolphins, he recorded his first multi-touchdown game with two scores on 18 carries for 91 yards in a 24–3 home win. Later that year, in Week 14, he posted his first career 100-yard rushing game with 134 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries against the Arizona Cardinals, adding seven receptions for 59 yards in a 30–18 road victory. Charbonnet finished the 2024 season appearing in all 17 games with six starts, compiling 135 carries for 569 yards and eight rushing touchdowns, plus 42 receptions for 340 yards and one receiving touchdown.
Driving Style and Strengths
Charbonnet is known for his physical, between-the-tackles running style combined with reliable hands as a pass catcher out of the backfield. His vision and patience allow him to set up blocks effectively, while his size and balance make him difficult to bring down on initial contact. In Seattle’s offense, he has demonstrated the ability to contribute in both the ground game and the passing game, making him a versatile weapon in a variety of game situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Charbonnet’s career milestones are his 2019 Michigan freshman touchdown record, his 1,000-yard rushing season at UCLA in 2021, and his 2022 first-team All-American selection by the FWAA. In the NFL, he has already recorded his first multi-touchdown game, his first 100-yard rushing game, and has played a meaningful role in the Seahawks’ backfield rotation through his first two professional seasons.
Zach Charbonnet Career Wins
Zach Charbonnet’s career has been marked by steady production and individual recognition rather than championship victories, as team titles in the NFL and major college conferences have not been verified for him. His personal accolades, however, include a first-team All-American honor in 2022, two All-Pac-12 selections in 2021 and 2022, and a third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2019.
UCLA Highlights
At UCLA, Charbonnet established himself as one of the top running backs in the Pac-12, recording back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2021 and 2022. His career-high 198 rushing yards came twice, first against No. 11 Utah and then against Stanford in 2022. He finished his Bruins career with a strong senior campaign that included 14 rushing touchdowns and a seventh-place finish nationally in rushing yards per attempt at 7.0.
Other Wins and Performances
At Michigan, Charbonnet earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2019 after a freshman season in which he set a program record for touchdowns by a first-year player. His high school career at Oaks Christian School featured 4,741 rushing yards and 62 total touchdowns, including a 2,049-yard junior season that helped establish him as a top national recruit.
Zach Charbonnet Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Charbonnet comes from a diverse family that has played an important role in his life and career. His father, Mark Charbonnet, is African-American, while his mother, Seda Charbonnet, is of Cambodian and Chinese descent and immigrated to the United States from France. This multicultural background has been a meaningful part of Charbonnet’s identity, and he has often credited his family for supporting his development both on and off the field.
Personal Life
Charbonnet grew up in Camarillo, California, where he attended Oaks Christian School and developed into one of the top high school football recruits in the country. Details about his marital status and personal relationships have not been publicly confirmed in available verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Zach Charbonnet is expected to play an expanded role in the Seattle Seahawks’ offense following a productive 2024 campaign in which he appeared in all 17 games. With eight rushing touchdowns and more than 900 scrimmage yards last season, he has established himself as a reliable complement in the team’s backfield. His continued development as a pass catcher and goal-line threat should remain central to his contributions for Seattle.
Charbonnet’s versatility, including his ability to contribute in both the running and passing game, gives the Seahawks a flexible offensive weapon. His experience as a starter, combined with his proven production in short-yardage and third-down situations, positions him well for increased opportunities in 2025. If he can build on his 2024 efficiency, Charbonnet has the potential to take another step toward becoming a featured back in the Seattle offense.