How a high school phenom overcame two ACL tears to reach the NFL
In short: Before becoming an NFL running back, Zamir White faced devastating setbacks that could have ended his career. After tearing his ACL twice, the former Georgia Bulldogs standout had to rebuild his momentum from the ground up to eventually secure a spot in the professional ranks.
Zamir White's journey to the NFL was defined by resilience against significant physical setbacks. During his senior year at Scotland High School in Laurinburg, North Carolina, White was a consensus top-five recruit and the national high school player of the year, having won the Sam B. Nicola Award. However, his momentum was halted when he tore his ACL during the second round of the state playoffs.
The challenges continued at the collegiate level with the University of Georgia. During his true freshman season, White suffered a second torn ACL during summer training camp, forcing him to redshirt. Despite these injuries, he eventually became a vital part of the Bulldogs' offensive rotation. During the truncated 2020 campaign, he became Georgia's top rusher, accumulating 779 yards and 11 touchdowns over 144 carries. Such prolific production persisted through 2021; he outpaced teammates James Cook, Kenny McIntosh, and Kendall Milton by recording 856 yards and 11 touchdowns.
White's professional career began when the Las Vegas Raiders selected him in the fourth round (122nd overall) of the 2022 NFL draft. After a rookie season with 14 appearances, he saw increased action in 2023, making four starts. His most notable performances came late in that season, including a 145-yard rushing performance against the Chiefs. Following his time in Las Vegas, White moved through the league, signing with the San Francisco 49ers in August 2026 before being traded to the New Orleans Saints.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Zamir White
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