Zach Charbonnet: Height, Ethnicity, Parents, and Injury — Full Biography
Zach Charbonnet has rapidly grown into one of the most talked-about running backs in American football. From his imposing physical stature to his rich cultural heritage and family roots, all the way through his college success and emerging NFL career, Charbonnet’s story combines athletic excellence with inspiring personal background. This comprehensive guide breaks down his height, ethnicity and heritage, parents and family background, and injury history — along with additional context on his career achievements and challenges.
1. Early Life and Background
Zachariah Charbonnet was born on January 8, 2001, in Bellflower, California, USA. He grew up in Camarillo, California, before rising to national prominence as a football prospect.
Charbonnet did not begin playing football until seventh grade, which is relatively late for future elite players. Despite this, his natural athleticism and competitive drive quickly made him stand out on the field.
He attended Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, California, where he developed into a blue-chip recruit. There, Charbonnet rushed for 4,741 yards and scored 62 total touchdowns, drawing attention from top college football programs.
2. Height and Physical Profile
One of the first questions fans ask about athletes is their physical stature — especially running backs, since size and speed are critical to performance.
Zach Charbonnet’s Height & Weight
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Height: 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm)
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Weight: Approximately 214 pounds (97 kg)
This size gives Charbonnet a rare blend of power and agility, allowing him to break tackles and run between the tackles while maintaining enough quickness to thrive in open space. His build makes him a well-rounded back suited to both power running and passing downs.
3. Ethnicity and Heritage
Charbonnet’s family background reflects a culturally diverse heritage that blends multiple ethnic identities:
Mother
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Name: Seda Hall
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Of Cambodian, Chinese, and French ancestry; she lived in Paris, France before moving to the United States.
Father
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Name: Mark Charbonnet
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Of African-American and Louisiana Creole descent.
This unique combination of backgrounds makes Charbonnet’s ethnicity one of the most interesting aspects of his personal life. He grew up with both Western and Southeast Asian cultural influences, contributing to his identity both on and off the field.
Charbonnet also has multiple siblings, including a sister with Williams syndrome, whom he has publicly supported and shared a close bond with.
4. Parents and Family Support
A key part of Charbonnet’s story is the role of his family in shaping his character.
Mother: Seda Hall
Seda is a major influence in Zach’s life. She did not initially want him to play football due to its physical nature, but she supported him once he chose to pursue the sport.
Father: Mark Charbonnet
Mark’s Louisiana Creole background and experience as an athlete provided early inspiration for Zach’s athletic journey.
Stepfather: Ben Hall
Charbonnet’s stepfather, whom he refers to as “Pops,” joined the family when Zach was just two years old. Although not his biological father, he has had a meaningful role in Zach’s upbringing.
During his upbringing, Charbonnet was instilled with values of discipline, respect, and dedication — traits that have stayed with him throughout his football career.
5. College Football Journey
Charbonnet began his collegiate career at the University of Michigan in 2019, where he quickly made an impact. Even as a freshman, he produced impressive performances, including a 100-yard rushing game with three touchdowns against Army.
Unfortunately, his time at Michigan included an early challenge when he underwent knee surgery shortly after enrolling in January 2019. Though he missed spring practice, he returned in time for the season and continued to play at a high level.
After two seasons at Michigan, Charbonnet transferred to UCLA, where his production and profile continued to rise. In 2022, he enjoyed a standout season that earned him First-Team All-Pac-12 honors and a spot on the FWAA All-American team.
At UCLA, Charbonnet clocked over 1,300 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns in his senior year, becoming one of the most productive backs in college football.
6. Transition to the NFL
Zach Charbonnet entered the 2023 NFL Draft and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round (52nd overall).
He made an immediate contribution as a rookie, seeing playing time in 16 games and totaling 462 rushing yards and a touchdown, along with meaningful receiving production.
In his second season, Charbonnet further established himself in the Seahawks’ backfield, showcasing increased usage and production. His role in Seattle’s offense continued to expand as he demonstrated both power and receiving ability out of the backfield.
7. Injury History and Recent Status
College Injury
Early in his collegiate career at Michigan, Charbonnet underwent knee surgery shortly after enrolling in 2019. This was a pivotal moment, as he missed early spring practice but recovered in time to contribute in his freshman season.
NFL and Recent Injuries
Like many NFL ball carriers, Charbonnet has dealt with various injury designations throughout his career:
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During the 2023 season, he faced a knee bruise and a hamstring strain, both of which briefly placed him on injury reports and limited practice.
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In 2025, he dealt with foot issues and a minor oblique injury, affecting his practice participation at times.
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In January 2026, Charbonnet suffered a knee injury in the NFC Divisional Round game versus the San Francisco 49ers. He exited the game due to the injury and was labeled questionable to return, with imaging planned to determine the severity. Head coach Mike Macdonald later said initial optimism existed regarding his knee’s condition, though full evaluation was still pending.
Injury Impact
While Charbonnet has experienced injuries — inherent to football — he has largely been able to play through or return quickly from most setbacks. His resilience has remained a hallmark of his career so far.
8. Personal Traits and Off-Field Life
Outside football, Charbonnet maintains a fairly private personal life. Known for his work ethic, humility, and team-first mentality, he avoids unnecessary distractions and focuses on football performance and family.
He is also known to support causes related to Williams syndrome awareness, influenced by his close relationship with his sister.
9. Career Achievements and Highlights
Here’s a quick snapshot of Charbonnet’s accomplishments so far:
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Second-Round NFL Draft Pick (2023) by the Seattle Seahawks.
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FWAA First-Team All-American (2022) at UCLA.
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Multiple All-Pac-12 Honors.
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100-yard rushing games, including standout performances in both college and NFL.
Zach Charbonnet’s future remains bright as he continues to develop his skills, make impact plays, and contribute to team success at the highest level of football.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How tall is Zach Charbonnet?
Answer: Zach Charbonnet is 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and weighs around 214 pounds. His size helps him blend power with speed as a dynamic running back.
Q2: What is Zach Charbonnet’s ethnicity?
Answer: Charbonnet’s ethnicity is a mix of African-American and Louisiana Creole from his father’s side, and Cambodian, Chinese, and French descent on his mother’s side.
Q3: Who are Zach Charbonnet’s parents?
Answer: His biological parents are Seda Hall and Mark Charbonnet. His stepfather, Ben Hall, has helped raise him since infancy.
Q4: Has Zach Charbonnet had any significant injuries?
Answer: Charbonnet had knee surgery early in college and has dealt with various injuries (knee, hamstring, foot, oblique) during his NFL career. Most have been minor and manageable. In January 2026, he was questionable with a knee injury in a playoff game.
Q5: Which NFL team does Zach Charbonnet play for?
Answer: Zach Charbonnet plays as a running back for the Seattle Seahawks, who drafted him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
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