2022 NFL Draft: UCLA RB Zach Charbonnet shows promise in opener

UCLA Bruins running back Zach Charbonnet shined in the opener against Hawai’i, proving he’s worth keeping an eye on ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Running back Zach Charbonnet transferred to the UCLA Bruins after two seasons at Michigan, where he showed plenty as a freshman, rushing for 726 yards and 11 touchdowns. After a rough sophomore campaign, the Bruins welcomed him in via the transfer portal. Entering his junior year, Charbonnet hasn’t really been on the 2022 NFL Draft radar. After today, that likely changes.

The Bruins defeated Hawai’i 44-10 in their opener, and Charbonnet stole the show on offense. On just six carries, Charbonnet ran for 106 yards and three touchdowns. His first touchdown was a relatively easy one, working through a big hole to score. On his second TD run, he showed off excellent footwork, stringing together quick cuts to make defenders miss in a tight space and finished the run with good burst and open field vision. He broke several tackles on his third score, staying extremely balanced while dropping his pads and finishing it off with his speed. He made the most of a small sample size of carries.

Now, obviously the Hawai’i defense isn’t very good, and one performance doesn’t mean that he should rise exponentially in rankings (looking at K.J. Costello last fall), but it is good to see Charbonnet getting back to form with the Bruins. He will obviously have bigger tests coming up in the Pac-12 against tougher defenses, and could be counted on in some big games. It will be intriguing to watch his share of carries increase in the offense, because it’s clear he can handle lead back duties.

The 2022 NFL Draft cycle, like all the others in the past, is a long one where risers put on several very good performances. Charbonnet is absolutely trending in the right direction, and being draft eligible, he needs to stay on the radar moving forward.