UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet declares for 2023 NFL Draft

UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet is taking his game to the next level, declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.

On Monday, Charbonnet took to Instagram to announce his decision, writing a thank you note to both the Bruins and his former team, the Michigan Wolverines.

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” began Charbonnet. “It was my dream from my first football practice as a Camarillo Roadrunner to play college football. I have challenged my body and my mind surrounded by teammates and coaches along the way who have pushed me to be my best.

“I have given my everything to my teams at Oaks Christian, University of Michigan and finally my forever home as a UCLA Bruin. I want to thank all of my teammates through the years. It is the brotherhood that makes football unique and it is you that has filled me with memories I will forever hold near to my heart.

“Thank you to my family who has been there through the thick and thin. You continue to inspire me to be the best version of myself both on and off the field.

“1 cannot thank my coaches through the years enough. Coach’s Anderson, Moore, Benkert, Collins, Harbaugh and so many others. My strength coaches, especially Coach Belton. Finally, Coach Kelly who gave me the opportunity to come home and Coach Foster who imparted his wisdom on me and helped me to refine my craft to the place where I feel fully prepared to share the following: Life is a process and I am taking the next step to fully fulfill my childhood dream of entering my name into the 2023 NFL Draft.”

Moreover, the former-five star recruit ran up the stat sheet at both Michigan and UCLA. First, he amassed 850 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 168 carries in Ann Arbor, and then accumulated 2,496 yards and 27 touchdowns on 398 carries over two fantastic seasons in Los Angeles.

Many teams will be interested in drafting Zach Charbonnet, and he proved why time and time again over his time in college. He’ll hear his name sooner rather than later come April’s 2023 NFL Draft.

More on the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will be held at the plaza just outside of Union Station.

Round 1 of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility. 100 underclassmen were approved for last year’s draft. 73 of those 100 underclassmen were granted special eligibility while 27 of them were underclassmen who had completed their college degrees.

The 2023 NFL scouting combine will take place from Feb. 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis.