Kimani Vidal Bio
Kimani Vidal 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. Listed at 5 feet 8 inches and 215 pounds, Vidal has quickly become a versatile contributor in the Chargers’ backfield, contributing as a rusher, receiver, and returner.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Vidal rose from a three-star high school recruit to one of the most productive running backs in the Sun Belt Conference before making the jump to the NFL. His combination of contact balance, vision, and pass-catching ability has allowed him to carve out a role in the Chargers’ offense.
Early Life and Background
Kimani Vidal was born on August 28, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the son of Kwame Vidal and Dayna Scott Vidal, and he grew up alongside at least one sibling, his sister Kaylin. His family has deep roots in the Atlanta community and a strong connection to public service and athletics, with his maternal grandfather having served in the United States Congress.
Vidal attended Marietta High School, where he developed into a three-star recruit according to national scouting services. Coming out of high school, he drew scholarship offers from several college programs, including LSU, Memphis, South Alabama, South Carolina, and Syracuse. After weighing his options, Vidal ultimately chose to continue his football career at Troy University.
Path to American Football
Vidal committed to the Troy Trojans, where he joined a program with a strong track record of producing productive running backs. His path to a major role was gradual, as he adjusted to the speed and physicality of the college game during his early seasons. By his sophomore and junior years, he had become a featured piece of the Troy offense.
During the 2020 season, Vidal appeared as a freshman and rushed for 516 yards and four touchdowns on 101 carries, while also catching 26 passes for 225 yards. He built on that foundation in 2021, gaining 701 yards and scoring five touchdowns on 152 carries. These steady improvements set the stage for his breakout junior campaign, when he emerged as one of the top running backs in the Sun Belt Conference.
Kimani Vidal Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Vidal’s college career at Troy began during the 2020 season, when he quickly established himself as a dual-threat running back. In his first notable performance, he rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown in a Week 5 win over Eastern Kentucky, signaling his potential as a feature back. By the end of his freshman year, he had shown enough ability as both a runner and receiver to warrant a larger role in the offense.
As a sophomore in 2021, Vidal took on a heavier workload. In a Week 7 victory over Texas State, he produced 162 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, helping Troy secure a narrow 31–28 win. He finished the season with 701 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 152 carries, while also adding 22 receptions for 134 yards. That production laid the groundwork for his breakout junior year.
Troy Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Vidal’s 2022 season marked his emergence as one of the most productive running backs in the Sun Belt Conference. In a Week 12 win over Louisiana–Monroe, he rushed for 242 yards and two touchdowns, earning Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors. The following week, he powered Troy past Arkansas State with 208 rushing yards and four touchdowns, helping the Trojans reach the Sun Belt Championship Game. He closed the year with 1,132 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 231 carries, and he was recognized with second-team All-Sun Belt honors.
In 2023, Vidal elevated his game even further. He opened the year by setting the Troy single-game rushing record with 248 yards against Stephen F. Austin. Later, in a Week 6 win over Arkansas State, he produced 245 yards and three touchdowns, again earning conference player of the week honors. By the end of the season, he was named the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year and was selected as a third-team All-American. He capped his senior campaign by winning MVP of the Sun Belt Championship Game after becoming the first player in FBS history to rush for five touchdowns in a conference championship game.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–Present)
Vidal entered the NFL when the Los Angeles Chargers selected him with the 181st overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft. He made his professional debut in a win over the Denver Broncos on October 13, 2024, and he made an immediate impact, scoring on his first official touch, a 38-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Justin Herbert. He finished his rookie campaign with 798 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns, 21 receptions, 198 receiving yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns, while also contributing 177 return yards.
Heading into 2025, Vidal was waived by the Chargers on August 26 as part of final roster cuts before being re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was promoted back to the active roster on October 8 after running back Omarion Hampton was placed on injured reserve. In Week 6 against the Miami Dolphins, he rushed 18 times for 124 yards and added 3 receptions for 14 yards and a touchdown, reinforcing his value to the team.
Driving Style and Strengths
Vidal is a compact, low-center-of-gravity back whose game is built on contact balance, decisive cuts, and reliable hands out of the backfield. He excels in tight spaces between the tackles and has shown the burst to turn short gains into longer runs. His ability to contribute in the passing game and on special teams gives the Chargers a flexible weapon in multiple phases of the offense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Vidal’s signature moments are his record-setting 248-yard rushing performance against Stephen F. Austin, his MVP performance in the 2023 Sun Belt Championship Game, and his 38-yard receiving touchdown on his first NFL touch. He is also the great-nephew of Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, a unique family connection to sports history.
Kimani Vidal Career Wins
While running backs are not typically credited with individual wins in the same way as quarterbacks, Vidal has been part of numerous team victories throughout his football career. His contributions have helped both the Troy Trojans and the Los Angeles Chargers secure key wins at critical junctures of multiple seasons.
Troy Highlights
At Troy, Vidal was central to several memorable victories, including the 31–28 win over Texas State in 2021 and the dominant late-season wins over Louisiana–Monroe and Arkansas State in 2022. He saved his best for the biggest stage in 2023, leading the Trojans to a conference championship victory and an MVP award.
Other Wins and Performances
In the NFL, Vidal has contributed to Chargers wins both as a rotational back and as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. His production in limited opportunities has given Los Angeles a reliable option in short-yardage and passing situations.
Kimani Vidal Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kimani Vidal comes from a close-knit family with strong ties to both public service and athletics. His parents, Kwame Vidal and Dayna Scott Vidal, raised him in the Atlanta area, and his sister Kaylin is part of his immediate family. Through his mother, he is the grandson of former U.S. Representative David Scott, who represented Georgia in Congress.
Personal Life
Beyond football, Vidal is known for his deep family roots and his connection to Atlanta. He is the great-nephew of legendary baseball player Hank Aaron, whose sister Alfredia is Vidal’s grandmother. That family heritage places Vidal within one of the most storied sports families in American history.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a test of resilience for Vidal and the Los Angeles Chargers. After a strong rookie year, he was waived during final roster cuts in late August before being re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He returned to the active roster on October 8 following an injury to Omarion Hampton, giving him a fresh opportunity to contribute.
Vidal responded with an impactful Week 6 performance against the Miami Dolphins, rushing 18 times for 124 yards while adding three receptions for 14 yards and a touchdown. That outing showcased the burst and vision that made him a standout at Troy and suggested he could grow into a larger role as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, Vidal is positioned to remain a key part of the Chargers’ backfield rotation. With his versatility as a runner, receiver, and returner, he offers the team flexibility in game planning. If he can build on his Week 6 performance, he has a chance to entrench himself as a core contributor for the remainder of the 2025 campaign and beyond.
