Khalil Herbert Bio
Khalil Herbert is an American professional football running back and return specialist for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kansas Jayhawks and Virginia Tech Hokies before being selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft. With a notable college career and immediate impacts on his teams, Herbert has established himself in the league, showcasing his abilities as both a running back and a return specialist.
Early Life and Background
Khalil Herbert was born on April 21, 1998, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He attended American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, where he began to develop his skills in football. Herbert has roots in Jamaica and the British Virgin Islands, which adds to his diverse background. After high school, he committed to play college football at the University of Kansas, where he would further hone his craft.
Path to American Football
Herbert’s college career began at the University of Kansas in 2016, where he made an immediate impact as a true freshman. He played in eight games, starting three, and rushed for 189 yards with three touchdowns. Over the next few years, he continued to improve, culminating in a successful transfer to Virginia Tech in 2020. At Virginia Tech, he took over as the starting running back and had a standout season, setting records for all-purpose yards in a game and finishing with impressive statistics, including 1,183 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.
Khalil Herbert Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Khalil Herbert was selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft, being the 217th overall pick. He signed his four-year rookie contract on June 2, 2021. Herbert started his rookie season as the Bears’ kick returner and third-string running back. He quickly earned more playtime due to an injury to the starting running back, David Montgomery, and made a significant impact, rushing for 433 yards and two touchdowns in his first season.
Breakthrough (2022–2023)
In the 2022 season, Herbert entered as the Bears’ second-string running back. He had a breakout game against the Houston Texans, rushing for 157 yards and two touchdowns, which earned him the FedEx Ground Player of the Week award. Despite suffering a hip injury later in the season, he finished with 731 rushing yards and four touchdowns. In 2023, Herbert became the starting running back after Montgomery’s departure to the Detroit Lions, showcasing his skills further.
Notable Works and Milestones
Khalil Herbert’s signature work includes his standout performances in college, particularly at Virginia Tech, and his impressive rookie season with the Chicago Bears. He has been recognized for his contributions on the field, including being named the FedEx Ground Player of the Week.
Khalil Herbert Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Khalil Herbert has received recognition for his performance, including being named a Second-team All-ACC in 2020 during his college career.
Khalil Herbert Awards Won
Khalil Herbert has not yet won any major awards in his professional career, but he has been acknowledged for his performances with accolades such as the FedEx Ground Player of the Week.
Khalil Herbert Family
There is limited public information regarding Khalil Herbert’s family background. He has roots in Jamaica and the British Virgin Islands, but details about his parents and siblings are not publicly available.
Personal Life
Khalil Herbert has kept his personal life private, and there are no publicly available details regarding his marital status or children. His focus remains on his professional football career and contributions to his team.
