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 highly accomplished American football running back currently playing for the New Orleans Saints in the NFL. After transferring from Hutchinson Community College, he played college football at the University of Tennessee. Drafted by the Saints in 2017, Kamara quickly made his mark, earning the NFL Rookie of the Year award. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl in his first five seasons and is a two-time second-team All-Pro. A notable achievement includes tying an NFL record with six rushing touchdowns in a single game in 2020. 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 to Achieve Milestone

During a Week 12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in 2017, Alvin Kamara became the first player since Herschel Walker in 1986 to compile 500 rushing and receiving yards in his first 11 career games.

2011: Junior Year Football Success

In 2011, as a junior at Norcross High School, Alvin Kamara rushed for 1,300 yards and scored 17 touchdowns.

2012: Senior Year Football Success and State Championship

In 2012, as a senior, Alvin Kamara rushed for 2,264 yards with 26 touchdowns and led his high school to its first state championship.

2014: Transfer to Hutchinson Community College

In 2014, Alvin Kamara transferred from Alabama to Hutchinson Community College in Kansas and rushed for 1,253 yards with 18 touchdowns in nine games.

September 5, 2015: Tennessee Debut

On September 5, 2015, Alvin Kamara debuted for Tennessee against Bowling Green at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, accounting for 144 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 qualified for the Outback Bowl against #12 Northwestern. Kamara had 53 rushing yards and a touchdown. He accounted for 698 yards with seven rushing touchdowns in the entire season.

2016: Decision 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 Volunteers and School Record

In 2016, Alvin Kamara was a key contributor for the Volunteers. He set a school record with 312 all-purpose yards against #8 Texas A&M. He finished third in the SEC in touchdowns.

2017: NFL Debut

In 2017, Alvin Kamara debuted for the New Orleans Saints during the season opener against the Vikings on Monday Night Football.

2017: Record-Breaking Rookie Season

In 2017, Alvin Kamara had a record-breaking rookie season with 728 rushing yards and 826 receiving yards. He 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 New Orleans Saints and NFL Rookie of the Year

In 2017, Alvin Kamara was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the NFL draft. That same year, he was named the NFL Rookie of the Year.

2017: Drafted by the Saints

In 2017, Alvin Kamara was selected by the Saints in the third round with the 67th overall pick in the NFL Draft.

2017: Playoff Qualification

In 2017, the Saints finished atop the NFC South with an 11-5 record and qualified for the playoffs. Kamara was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and was named to the Pro Bowl and All-Rookie Team.

2018: Pro Bowl Selection

In 2018, Alvin Kamara finished his second professional season with impressive stats and was named to the Pro Bowl.

2018: Started as Main Running Back

In 2018, Alvin Kamara started the season as the Saints' main running back due to Mark Ingram II's suspension.

2019: Pro Bowl Selection

In 2019, Alvin Kamara had 171 carries for 797 yards and five touchdowns, along with 81 receptions for 533 yards and a touchdown in 14 games and nine starts. He made his third Pro Bowl in as many professional seasons.

2020: Exceptional Season

In 2020, Alvin Kamara had a stellar regular season with 187 carries for 932 yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, 83 receptions for 756 yards, and 5 receiving touchdowns. He tied for second-most rushing touchdowns in the NFL and led the league in total touchdowns. Kamara also became the first player in NFL history to record at least 500 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in each of his first four seasons.

January 9, 2021: Activated from COVID-19 list

On January 9, 2021, Alvin Kamara was activated from the COVID-19 list and subsequently played in the Wild Card Round against the Bears.

February 2021: Big Squeezy sponsored NASCAR driver Ryan Vargas

In February 2021, Kamara's juice and smoothie chain, Big Squeezy, sponsored NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Ryan Vargas and his No. 6 JD Motorsports car in the Super Start Batteries 188 at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course.

June 20, 2021: Named NASCAR Growth and Engagement Advisor

On June 20, 2021, Alvin Kamara was named NASCAR Growth and Engagement Advisor after becoming interested in the sport due to its racial justice activism.