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). Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 212 pounds, he has built his career on a blend of quickness, vision, and dependable special-teams play. Herbert 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, he has established himself in the league, showcasing his abilities as both a runner and a returner.
Early Life and Background
Khalil Herbert was born on April 21, 1998, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He grew up in nearby Plantation, Florida, where he attended American Heritage School and developed into a promising football prospect. Herbert has family roots in Jamaica and the British Virgin Islands, a heritage that has shaped his personal identity off the field.
During his high school years, Herbert drew the attention of college recruiters with his speed and versatility as a running back and returner. He committed to the University of Kansas to play college football, setting the stage for his transition to the next level. His preparation at American Heritage School gave him a strong foundation in both the offensive and special-teams phases of the game.
Path to American Football
Herbert began his collegiate journey at the University of Kansas, where he spent four seasons developing as a running back. As a true freshman in 2016, he played in eight games with three starts and rushed for 189 yards on 44 carries with three touchdowns. Over the following seasons, he took on larger roles, starting six of 11 games in 2017 and rushing for 663 yards with four touchdowns that year.
After a junior season in 2018 and a shortened 2019 campaign, Herbert decided to finish his college career with a graduate transfer to Virginia Tech in 2020. That move paid off, as he took over as the Hokies’ starting running back and earned Second-team All-ACC honors. His breakout senior season positioned him for the 2021 NFL draft, where the Chicago Bears selected him in the sixth round, 217th overall.
Khalil Herbert Career
Early Career (2021)
Herbert signed his four-year rookie contract with the Chicago Bears on June 2, 2021, and began his professional career as the team’s kick returner and third-string running back. An injury to starting running back David Montgomery opened the door for more offensive opportunities, and Herbert quickly made the most of them. In a Week 5 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, he posted 75 yards on 18 carries, demonstrating his readiness for a bigger role.
Later in his rookie season, Herbert was elevated to the starting role after Damien Williams was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list. He responded with 97 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries against the Green Bay Packers. He finished his first NFL season with 433 rushing yards on 103 carries and two touchdowns, a strong start for a sixth-round pick.
Chicago Bears Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Entering the 2022 season as the Bears’ second-string running back, Herbert produced one of the most memorable performances of his career in Week 3 against the Houston Texans. After Montgomery went down with an injury, Herbert rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, earning FedEx Ground Player of the Week honors in a 23–20 win. A hip injury in Week 10 briefly stalled his progress, but he returned to action later in the year and finished 2022 with 731 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, and a receiving score across 13 games.
In 2023, Herbert was promoted to the Bears’ starting running back following Montgomery’s departure to the Detroit Lions. He opened the year strong, highlighted by a Week 4 performance with 103 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown. An ankle injury in Week 5 forced a stint on injured reserve, limiting his production late in the season. During the 2024 campaign, he scored his first touchdown of the year in a Week 2 loss to the Houston Texans before being traded to the Cincinnati Bengals on November 5, 2024, in exchange for a seventh-round pick.
New York Jets Era (2025–Present)
After his trade to Cincinnati, Herbert served as the Bengals’ kickoff returner and made his debut in a Sunday Night Football loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. His lone start with Cincinnati came in the Week 18 finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he produced 69 yards on 20 carries. The following offseason, Herbert signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts on March 14, 2025, but was released as part of final roster cuts in late August and spent time on the practice squad before being released again in early September.
Herbert was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad on September 23, 2025, and then signed by the New York Jets off that practice squad on October 2, 2025. With the Jets, he returned to a role that combined running back duties with return specialist responsibilities. Through the 2025 season, he continued to provide depth and special-teams value as he settled into his new club.
Driving Style and Strengths
Herbert is a compact, low-center-of-gravity runner who thrives on quick decisions and burst through interior gaps. His experience as a kick returner has sharpened his field vision and acceleration in open space, traits that translate well to his work on offense. He is equally effective in pass protection and on screen passes, making him a versatile piece in modern offensive game plans.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Herbert’s defining college moments came at Virginia Tech in 2020, when he set the school record for all-purpose yards in a single game with 358 against Duke. In the NFL, his 157-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Houston Texans in 2022 stands as one of his signature games, earning him league-wide recognition as the FedEx Ground Player of the Week.
Khalil Herbert Career Wins
While individual game victories are tied to team results, Herbert has produced several standout winning efforts throughout his career. His most celebrated single-game performance came in the 2022 win over the Houston Texans, when he shouldered the offense after an injury to David Montgomery. He has also contributed to multiple Bears wins during his three-plus seasons in Chicago, providing timely runs and reliable kick-return production.
NFL Highlights
Herbert’s NFL résumé includes a 157-yard rushing game against the Texans in 2022 and a 75-yard effort against the Raiders in his rookie season. His start against the Green Bay Packers in 2021, with 97 rushing yards and a touchdown, marked his first career start and a memorable debut as a lead back. As of the 2025 season, he has accumulated 1,957 career rushing yards, 9 rushing touchdowns, 54 receptions for 316 receiving yards, and 942 return yards.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Herbert’s senior season at Virginia Tech was his most decorated, highlighted by All-ACC recognition and the school-record all-purpose yardage game. His 2020 totals of 1,183 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns with the Hokies cemented his status as an NFL prospect. Earlier, his 291-yard, two-touchdown outing against West Virginia while at Kansas remains one of his most explosive college performances.
Khalil Herbert Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Khalil Herbert’s background is rooted in a family with heritage ties to Jamaica and the British Virgin Islands. Growing up in Plantation, Florida, he benefited from a supportive environment that helped him pursue his football dreams from high school through the professional ranks.
Personal Life
Herbert has generally kept his personal life private, focusing public attention on his football career. He is known to have strong family connections that have followed him throughout his journey from Fort Lauderdale to the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
Herbert’s 2025 season has been defined by movement across the league. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts in March, was released during final cuts, and then moved between the practice squads of the Colts and the Seattle Seahawks before joining the New York Jets on October 2, 2025. His versatility as both a running back and a return specialist has been the key to securing roles at each stop.
With the Jets, Herbert has returned to a depth role that emphasizes special-teams contributions and spot offensive duty. His experience and reliability have provided New York with a steady veteran presence late in the season. As the Jets continue their schedule, Herbert is expected to remain a key piece of their return game and a trusted option in the backfield.
Looking ahead, Herbert’s path into 2026 will depend on his production and durability in the closing weeks of 2025. A strong finish could position him for a larger contract or a more featured role next season. Regardless, his ability to adapt to new teams and contribute immediately has been a hallmark of his professional career.
