Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Alvin Kamara

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Alvin Kamara made an impact.

Alvin Kamara is a prominent American football running back for the New Orleans Saints. Following college football at Tennessee after transferring from Hutchinson Community College, he was drafted by the Saints in 2017. He earned NFL Rookie of the Year honors the same year, was a Pro Bowler for his first five seasons, and is a two-time All-Pro selection. In 2020, Kamara achieved a rare feat by scoring six rushing touchdowns in a single game. In 2024, he became the Saints' all-time leading rusher.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1986: First Player Since Herschel Walker in 1986

During the 2017 season, Alvin Kamara became the first player since Herschel Walker in 1986 to compile 500 rushing and receiving yards in his first 11 career games. He was also the first non-quarterback to average over 7.0 yards per carry through 12 weeks since the merger.

1989: Broke Chuck Webb's All-Purpose Yard Record

In 2016, during a game against Texas A&M, Alvin Kamara broke Chuck Webb's 1989 school record with 312 all-purpose yards.

2011: Rushed for 1,300 yards as a junior

In 2011, as a junior at Norcross High School, Alvin Kamara rushed for 1,300 yards with 17 touchdowns for the Blue Devils football team.

2012: Rushed for 2,264 yards as a senior

In 2012, as a senior, Alvin Kamara rushed for 2,264 yards with 26 touchdowns, and caught 22 passes for 286 yards and five touchdowns, leading his high school to its first state championship.

2014: Transferred to Hutchinson Community College

In 2014, Alvin Kamara transferred from Alabama to Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. He ran for 1,253 yards with 18 touchdowns and was named NJCAA All-American.

September 5, 2015: Tennessee Debut Against Bowling Green

On September 5, 2015, Alvin Kamara debuted for Tennessee against Bowling Green at Nissan Stadium, accounting for 144 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His 144 rushing yards set a school record for most rushing yards in a debut game.

2015: Outback Bowl victory

In 2015, Tennessee finished with a 9-4 record and defeated Northwestern in the Outback Bowl. Alvin Kamara had 53 rushing yards and a touchdown in the game. During the 2015 season, he had 698 rushing yards and seven touchdowns and also had 34 receptions and three receiving touchdowns.

2016: Decided to Enter NFL Draft

At the end of the 2016 season, Alvin Kamara decided to forgo his redshirt senior season and enter the 2017 NFL draft.

2016: Key Contributor for the Volunteers

In 2016, Alvin Kamara was a key contributor for the Volunteers. He started his first career game at running back for the Vols in a victory over Ohio on September 17. He had 138 all-purpose yards, including a receiving touchdown, in a victory over Georgia. In a game against Texas A&M, he rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns, and had eight receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown. Kamara set a school record with 312 all-purpose yards.

December 19, 2017: Named to Pro Bowl as a Rookie

On December 19, 2017, Alvin Kamara was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie alongside Mark Ingram II. He was also named to the NFL All-Rookie Team and had a 106-yard kick return for a touchdown.

2017: Entered the 2017 NFL Draft

Having decided at the end of the 2016 season to forgo his redshirt senior season, Alvin Kamara entered the 2017 NFL Draft.

2017: NFL Debut

In 2017, Alvin Kamara debuted in the NFL with the Saints. During the season opener against the Vikings on Monday Night Football, he had seven rushes for 18 yards, four receptions for 20 yards, and one kickoff return for 26 yards.

2017: Record-Breaking Rookie Season

In 2017, Alvin Kamara had 728 yards rushing and 826 yards receiving, becoming the first Saint and third NFL rookie to achieve a 700/700 season. Kamara and Ingram became the first running back duo in NFL history to each have over 1,500 scrimmage yards in the same season.

2017: Drafted by the New Orleans Saints

In 2017, Alvin Kamara was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the NFL Draft. He was also named the NFL Rookie of the Year in 2017 and was named a Pro Bowler in his first five NFL seasons.

2017: Saints Make Playoffs

In 2017, the Saints finished atop the NFC South with an 11-5 record and qualified for the playoffs. Alvin Kamara played in the Wild Card Round against the Panthers and the Divisional Round against the Vikings, where he caught a 14-yard touchdown.

2018: Started as Saints' Main Running Back

In 2018, with Mark Ingram II suspended, Alvin Kamara started the season as the Saints' main running back. In the season opener against the Buccaneers, he had eight carries for 29 yards and two touchdowns, along with nine receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown.

2019: Third Pro Bowl Selection

In 2019, Alvin Kamara finished the season with 797 rushing yards and five touchdowns, along with 533 receiving yards and a touchdown, earning him his third Pro Bowl selection.

2020: Record-Breaking Season

In 2020, Alvin Kamara had a record-breaking season, finishing with 932 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, along with 756 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He led the NFL with 21 total touchdowns and made his fourth Pro Bowl.

2020: Tied NFL record for rushing touchdowns in a single game

In 2020, Alvin Kamara tied an NFL record by scoring six rushing touchdowns in a single game. He also became the Saints' all-time rushing leader four years later.