Kimani Vidal Explained

Kimani Scott Vidal (born August 28, 2001) is an American professional football running back for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Troy Trojans and was selected by the Chargers in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Early life

Vidal grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and attended Marietta High School. He was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at Troy over offers from LSU, Memphis, South Alabama, South Carolina and Syracuse.^{[1] [2]}

College career

In week five of the 2020 season, Vidal had a breakout game where he rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown, as he helped Troy beat Eastern Kentucky.^[3] Vidal finished his freshman season in 2020 with 101 carries for 516 yards and four touchdowns, while also hauling in 26 receptions for 225 yards.^[4]

In week seven of the 2021 season, Vidal would rush for 162 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, as he helped the Trojans beat Texas State 31-28.^[5] Vidal would finish the 2021 season with 701 yards and five touchdowns on 152 carries, while also bringing in 22 receptions for 134 yards.^[6]

In week twelve of the 2022 season, Vidal would rush for 242 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Louisiana–Monroe. For his performance on the game, Vidal would be named the Sun-Belt offensive player of the week.^{[7] [8]} In the following week, Vidal would run for 208 yards and four touchdowns, as he helped Troy beat Arkansas State and advance to the Sun Belt championship game.^[9] Vidal would finish his breakout 2022 season with 1,132 yards and ten touchdowns on 231 carries, while also notching 26 receptions for 140 yards.^[10] For his performance on the season, Vidal would be named second team all Sun Belt.^[11]

Vidal would start the 2023 season, setting the Troy single game rushing yard record by rushing for 248 yards in a win over Stephen F. Austin in week one.^[12] In week six, Vidal would rush for 245 yards and three touchdowns, as he helped the Trojans beat Arkansas State.^[13] For his performance on the week, Vidal was named the Sun Belt offensive player of the week.^[14] He went on to be named the Sun Belt offensive player of the year and won the MVP award in the 2023 conference championship game after becoming the first player ever to rush for 5 touchdowns in an FBS conference championship.^[15]

Statistics

Legend
	Led NCAA Division I FBS
	Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year
	Troy record
Bold	Career best

Troy Trojans
Season	Games		Rushing				Receiving
	GP	GS	Att	Yards	Avg	TD	Rec	Yards	Avg	TD
2020	9	2	101	516	5.1	4	26	225	8.7	0
2021	11	11	152	701	4.6	5	22	134	6.1	0
2022	14	14	231	1,132	4.9	10	26	140	5.4	0
2023	14	14	297	1,661	5.6	14	18	201	11.2	1
Career	48	41	781	4,010	5.1	33	92	700	7.6	1

Professional career

Vidal was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers with the 181st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.^[16] On October 13, he made his NFL debut in a victory against the Denver Broncos. Vidal scored on his first official touch, a 38-yard touchdown reception from Justin Herbert.^[17]

NFL career statistics

Year! rowspan="2"

Team	Games		Rushing					Receiving					Fumbles
GP	GS	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Fum	Lost
2024	LAC	1	0	22	64	2.9	16	0	3	49	16.3	38	1	0	0
Career		1	0	4	11	2.8	6	0	2	40	20.0	38T	1	0	0

Personal life

Vidal is the great nephew of Hank Aaron.^[18]

External links

• Los Angeles Chargers bio
• Troy Trojans bio

Notes and References

1. Web site: Kimani Vidal, Marietta, Running Back. 247sports.com. August 1, 2020. October 8, 2023.
2. Web site: Robinson . Prince . June 25, 2019 . Marietta RB Kimani Vidal commits to Troy . 9 October 2023 . Marietta Daily Journal.
3. Web site: Johnson . Jon . October 20, 2020 . Troy notebook: Kimani Vidal, Troy running game continues to be bright spot . 9 October 2023 . Dothan Eagle.
4. Web site: Kimani Vidal 2020 Game Log . 9 October 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
5. Web site: Stephenson . Creg . October 16, 2021 . Troy holds on for 31-28 victory over Texas State . 9 October 2023 . AL.com.
6. Web site: Kimani Vidal 2021 Game Log . 9 October 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
7. Web site: Stephenson . Creg . November 19, 2022 . Kimani Vidal, Troy pummel ULM 34-16 for 8th straight win . 9 October 2023 . AL.com.
8. Web site: Stephenson . Creg . November 21, 2022 . Troy's Kimani Vidal honored by Sun Belt Conference . 9 October 2023 . AL.com.
9. Web site: November 26, 2022 . Vidal has 4 TDs, Troy advances to Sun Belt championship game . 9 October 2023 . CBSSports.com. Associated Press.
10. Web site: Kimani Vidal 2022 Game Log . 9 October 2023 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
11. Web site: December 1, 2022 . Sun Belt Announces 2022 Football Postseason Awards & All-Conference Teams . 9 October 2023 . Sun Belt Coneference.
12. Web site: Johnson . Jon . September 2, 2023 . Kimani Vidal breaks single-game rushing record previously held by Eddie Brundidge during Troy win . 10 October 2023 . Dothan Eagle.
13. Web site: Stephenson . Creg . October 7, 2023 . Kimani Vidal, Troy pummel Arkansas State 37-3 for 3rd straight victory . 10 October 2023 . AL.com.
14. Web site: Boutwell . Josh . October 9, 2023 . Kimani Vidal earns SBC Offensive Player of the Week . 10 October 2023 . Troy Messenger.
15. Web site: Griffin . Nick . 2023-12-04 . Troy repeats as Sun Belt champions . 2023-12-05 . The Cullman Tribune . en-US.
16. Web site: Borquez . Gavino . 2024-04-27 . 2024 NFL draft: Chargers pick RB Kimani Vidal with No. 181 overall selection . 2024-06-05 . Chargers Wire. USA Today . en-US.
17. Web site: Kimani Vidal's first NFL touch yields 38-yard TD for Chargers . ESPN.com . October 14, 2024.
18. Web site: DeRosa . Theo . April 27, 2024 . Hammerin' Hank's great-nephew taken in NFL Draft . 2024-06-05 . MLB.com . en.