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From Forgotten Child to Preseason Sensation: The Rise of Zamir White

Through just two weeks of preseason football, one running back has transformed from an anonymous camp body into the most electrifying scorer of August. In the opener against the Jets, he dazzled with 67 yards on only seven carries, including a blistering 39-yard touchdown run that left three defenders grasping at air and ignited the sideline.

The following week against the Colts, he did it again—same efficiency, same stat line, another touchdown. This time, his nine-yard burst tied the game at 16–16 and cemented his reputation as one of the NFL’s most dangerous young backs in a matter of days.

With 134 rushing yards and two touchdowns in just two games, he currently leads the league in preseason rushing scores. Analysts and fans alike are calling his runs “game-changers,” and even the coaching staff can’t hide their excitement.

But behind the highlights is a story far more poignant. At age 10, his world was split in two when his parents divorced, each moving on to build new families—families that didn’t include him. Left in the care of his grandparents, he grew up carrying scars invisible to any box score.

That journey belongs to Zamir White, an undrafted rookie running back from Georgia. A two-time All-SEC first-team selection, he racked up 3,196 career rushing yards and 28 touchdowns, while also proving dangerous as a receiver and kick returner. Standing out with a blazing 4.39 in the 40-yard dash, his blend of speed and resilience is now capturing hearts in Las Vegas.

“My parents divorced when I was ten. Both went on to build new families, while I lived a tough but happy life with my grandparents—and never saw them again. Now, as I earn my first paycheck, they’ve both returned to congratulate me.”

His words carry a weight no defender can match. For White, every preseason snap is more than a fight for a roster spot—it’s living proof that no broken family or forgotten child is ever truly kept from rewriting their destiny.

As the Raiders assess their backfield depth behind Josh Jacobs and Brandon Bolden, Zamir White is forcing his name into the conversation. Whether as a kick returner, a practice squad lock, or a roster wild card, one thing is clear: his story is only just beginning.