Kimani Vidal: Powerful Rise from Troy to NFL Success
From a record-breaking college running back to an emerging Los Angeles Chargers player, discover his early life, football journey, achievements and current role.
Introduction
Kimani Vidal is an American professional football player known for his strength, balance and determined running style. He plays running back for the Los Angeles Chargers in the National Football League.
His journey has included success at Marietta High School, record-breaking performances at Troy University and a difficult fight for regular opportunities in the NFL.
Vidal did not become an immediate professional starter. Like players following Jarrett Stidham’s NFL journey, he had to remain prepared while competing for a larger role.
He became more widely recognised during the 2025 season after producing several 100-yard rushing games for the Chargers.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kimani Vidal |
| Date of Birth | August 28, 2001 |
| Age | 24 years old as of June 2026 |
| Birthplace | Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Hometown | Marietta, Georgia |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Professional American football player |
| Position | Running back |
| Current Team | Los Angeles Chargers |
| Jersey Number | 28 |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches |
| Weight | 215 pounds |
| College | Troy University |
| Degree | Exercise science |
| NFL Draft | 2024, Round 6, Pick 181 |
| Famous For | Troy rushing records and his Chargers breakthrough |
Early Life in Georgia
Kimani Vidal was born on August 28, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia. He later became closely connected with Marietta, where he developed into a talented young football player.
Georgia has produced many promising athletes, including players featured in Caleb Wiley’s rise from Atlanta. Vidal followed his own path through American football rather than association football.
His parents are Kwame Vidal and Dayna Vidal. His father also had a connection with the sport and played college football at Florida A&M University.
Vidal has one publicly identified sister named Kaylin. His family background includes several well-known figures from American public life and sport.
His maternal grandfather was David Scott, the former United States representative from Georgia. Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron was Vidal’s great-uncle.
Aaron reportedly encouraged him to remain calm during difficult periods and continue working when success did not arrive immediately.
Marietta High School Career
Vidal attended Marietta High School, where he became one of the leading players in the football programme.
During his senior season, he helped Marietta win the Georgia Class 7A state championship. It was the school’s first state football title since 1967.
He was named the championship game’s most valuable player. His performance showed that he could handle pressure during one of the biggest games of his young career.
As a senior, he rushed for 1,589 yards and scored 24 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 25 passes for 397 yards and five receiving touchdowns.
His ability was not limited to football. He also competed in track and field and reached state-level competition in the shot put.
That combination of speed, explosive strength and physical development helped prepare him for college football. His athletic background shares similarities with Lawrence Okoye’s multi-sport journey, although the two athletes followed very different professional paths.
Education at Troy University
After high school, Vidal joined Troy University and played for the Troy Trojans from 2020 to 2023.
He also completed his academic studies. According to his official Troy University profile, he graduated with a degree in exercise science.
His education was closely connected with physical performance, movement and health. This academic background was suitable for a student-athlete preparing for a demanding professional career.
Vidal made an immediate impact at Troy rather than spending several seasons waiting for an opportunity.
College Football Career
Freshman Season
Vidal rushed for 516 yards and four touchdowns during the 2020 season.
He also caught 26 passes for 225 yards, showing that he could contribute as a receiver from the backfield.
His early performances earned him an All-Sun Belt honourable mention selection.
Growing Role in 2021
His responsibilities increased during his second college season.
He finished 2021 with 701 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He again received All-Sun Belt honourable mention recognition.
The season helped him develop into a reliable lead running back who could handle a larger number of carries.
First 1,000-Yard Season
Vidal reached another level in 2022.
He rushed for 1,132 yards and ten touchdowns, recording the first 1,000-yard campaign of his college career.
His performances earned him All-Sun Belt recognition and established him as one of the conference’s most productive running backs.
Record-Breaking Final Season
The 2023 season became the defining year of Vidal’s Troy career.
He carried the ball 297 times for 1,661 yards and 14 touchdowns. His rushing total placed him among the leading college running backs in the United States.
He recorded seven games with at least 100 rushing yards and three performances with more than 200 yards.
Vidal finished his Troy career with 4,010 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns. He became the programme’s career rushing leader.
Sun Belt Championship Performance
One of Vidal’s greatest college performances came in the 2023 Sun Belt Championship Game against Appalachian State.
He rushed 26 times for 233 yards and scored five touchdowns as Troy secured another conference championship.
The five rushing touchdowns set a Sun Belt Championship Game record. Vidal was named the game’s most valuable player.
His ability to deliver in a major final showed the same fearless attitude found in many memorable football stories, including Vince Papale’s underdog NFL journey.
Awards and Achievements
Vidal earned several important honours during his college career:
- 2023 Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year
- 2023 Sun Belt Championship Game MVP
- 2023 All-Sun Belt First Team
- 2023 Associated Press Third-Team All-American
- 2023 Doak Walker Award semifinalist
- 2022 All-Sun Belt selection
- 2021 All-Sun Belt honourable mention
- 2020 All-Sun Belt honourable mention
- Troy career rushing record holder
- Troy single-season rushing record holder
These achievements made him one of the most successful running backs in Troy football history.
NFL Combine and Draft
Before entering the NFL, Vidal participated in the Senior Bowl and completed athletic testing for professional scouts.
He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds. He also recorded a 37.5-inch vertical jump, a ten-foot broad jump and 18 bench-press repetitions.
The Los Angeles Chargers selected him in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
He was the 181st overall selection and became part of the Chargers’ first draft class under head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz.
Being selected in the sixth round meant that Vidal entered the league without a guaranteed starting role. He needed to prove his value through training, special teams and limited offensive opportunities.
NFL Debut and First Touchdown
Vidal made his NFL regular-season debut against the Denver Broncos on October 13, 2024.
His first official professional touch became an unforgettable moment.
Quarterback Justin Herbert threw him a pass that Vidal carried for a 38-yard touchdown. Scoring on his first NFL touch immediately introduced him to Chargers supporters.
He finished his rookie season with 43 carries for 155 rushing yards. He also caught five passes for 62 yards and one receiving touchdown.
Although his rookie role was limited, he showed enough ability to remain part of the team’s future plans.
Difficult Start to the 2025 Season
Vidal faced a major career challenge before the 2025 regular season.
The Chargers released him during their final roster reduction. He returned one day later as a member of the practice squad.
For a young player, moving from the active roster to the practice squad can create uncertainty. Vidal responded by continuing to train and prepare for another opportunity.
His approach reflected the resilience often seen in elite competitors such as those covered in Cindy Sember’s Olympic journey.
The Chargers eventually elevated him for games before signing him back to the active roster in October 2025.
Breakthrough NFL Performances
Vidal received his first NFL start against the Miami Dolphins.
He carried the ball 18 times for 124 yards. He also caught three passes for 14 yards and scored a receiving touchdown.
It was the first 100-yard rushing performance of his professional career.
He later rushed for 117 yards against the Minnesota Vikings and scored his first NFL rushing touchdown.
Another major performance came against the Las Vegas Raiders. Vidal produced a career-high 126 rushing yards on 25 carries.
That game included a 59-yard touchdown run, demonstrating that he could create explosive plays as well as earn difficult yards between defenders.
NFL Statistics
2024 Season
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Games | 10 |
| Rushing Attempts | 43 |
| Rushing Yards | 155 |
| Receptions | 5 |
| Receiving Yards | 62 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 1 |
2025 Season
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Games | 13 |
| Starts | 10 |
| Rushing Attempts | 155 |
| Rushing Yards | 643 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 3 |
| Receptions | 16 |
| Receiving Yards | 136 |
| Receiving Touchdowns | 1 |
Through his first two regular seasons, Vidal recorded 798 rushing yards, 198 receiving yards and five total offensive touchdowns.
Playing Style and Strengths
Vidal is a compact and powerful running back.
His 5-foot-8 frame gives him a low centre of gravity, helping him remain balanced when defenders attempt to tackle him.
He is particularly effective when running through contact. His strong lower body allows him to continue moving after the first hit.
Vidal also shows patience behind his offensive line. Rather than attacking every opening immediately, he can wait for a running lane to develop.
His receiving ability gives his team another option on passing downs. He has already scored multiple professional receiving touchdowns.
He can also contribute in pass protection, an important responsibility for running backs who want to remain on the field during different situations.
Challenges and Injuries
Vidal’s professional journey has included limited playing time, roster competition and a spell on the practice squad.
He also dealt with neck and thigh issues during the 2025 season. The neck problem caused him to miss a late-season game.
However, no official report described the injury as career-threatening.
His response to setbacks has become an important part of his public image. He has spoken about remaining prepared and improving even when he is not receiving regular opportunities.
Current Status in 2026
As of June 2026, Vidal remains part of the Los Angeles Chargers.
The team placed an exclusive-rights tender on him in March 2026, retaining his contractual rights for the coming season.
His official Los Angeles Chargers profile lists him as a 5-foot-8, 215-pound running back wearing jersey number 28.
He enters the 2026 campaign following the strongest season of his young NFL career.
The Chargers’ running-back group also includes Omarion Hampton and Keaton Mitchell. This means Vidal will continue facing serious competition for carries.
His 2025 performances proved that he can handle a starting workload when required. His future role will depend on training camp, health, team tactics and competition within the squad.
Personal Life
Vidal keeps much of his private life away from public attention.
His parents, sister and famous family connections have appeared in reliable public sources, but he mainly uses interviews to discuss football.
There is no reliable public confirmation of a wife, fiancée or publicly identified partner.
He is known for maintaining a focused and disciplined approach to his career.
His public messages often centre on preparation, patience and continuing to move forward during difficult periods.
Conclusion
Kimani Vidal’s journey shows how patience and preparation can create new opportunities.
He developed from a Georgia high school champion into Troy’s career rushing leader and the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year.
After entering the NFL as a sixth-round selection, he scored on his first professional touch but still had to fight for a stable roster position.
His move from the practice squad to becoming a productive starter in 2025 demonstrated his resilience. With 643 rushing yards and three 100-yard performances that season, he proved that he can contribute at the professional level.
Vidal remains a developing NFL running back whose strongest years may still be ahead of him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kimani Vidal?
He is an American football running back who plays for the Los Angeles Chargers.
How old is Kimani Vidal?
He is 24 years old as of June 2026.
When was he born?
He was born on August 28, 2001.
Where did he attend college?
He attended Troy University and graduated with a degree in exercise science.
When was he drafted?
The Chargers selected him in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 181st overall pick.
What is his height?
He is 5 feet 8 inches tall.
Is Kimani Vidal related to Hank Aaron?
Yes, Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron was his great-uncle.
How many rushing yards did he record in 2025?
He rushed for 643 yards during the 2025 regular season.
