Khalil Herbert Bio
Khalil Herbert is an American professional football running back and return specialist currently playing for the New York Jets of the National Football League. Born on April 21, 1998, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Herbert has built a reputation as a dynamic offensive weapon throughout his professional career. He entered the NFL in 2021 after being selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the NFL Draft and has since established himself as a capable starter and reliable special teams contributor at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Khalil Herbert attended American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, where he developed into a promising football talent. His athletic abilities were evident from an early age, and he emerged as a notable high school player in South Florida. Herbert comes from Jamaican and British Virgin Islands heritage, which adds to his diverse background as an athlete.
After a successful high school career at American Heritage School, Herbert attracted attention from multiple college programs. He ultimately decided to continue his football journey at the collegiate level, committing to play at the University of Kansas. This decision set him on the path toward his eventual professional football career.
Path to American Football
Herbert began his college football career at the University of Kansas in 2016, playing for the Kansas Jayhawks. As a true freshman during the 2016 season, he appeared in eight games with three starts, rushing for 189 yards on 44 carries and scoring three touchdowns. His performance demonstrated his potential as a future contributor at the position.
During his sophomore season in 2017, Herbert continued to develop as a player, starting six of eleven games. He rushed for 663 yards on 120 carries with four touchdowns. One of the standout performances of his Kansas career came against West Virginia, where he recorded 291 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 36 carries. He built on this momentum in his junior year, playing in twelve games and rushing 113 times for 499 yards and five touchdowns.
Herbert played four games into the 2019 season at Kansas before leaving the team, finishing that year with 384 yards on 43 carries and two touchdowns. Seeking a fresh start and additional opportunities, he transferred to Virginia Tech as a graduate student for his final collegiate season in 2020. This move proved transformative for his career trajectory.
Khalil Herbert Career
Virginia Tech Breakout (2020)
At Virginia Tech, Herbert immediately made an impact as the team’s starting running back. In the season opener against North Carolina State, he demonstrated his dual-threat ability by accumulating 150 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown in the victory. His performance signaled that he could be a difference-maker at the collegiate level.
Herbert’s most spectacular performance came against Duke, where he set the school record for all-purpose yards in a single game with 358 total yards, comprising 208 rushing yards and 150 kick-return yards. He followed this with consistent performances throughout the season, including 138 rushing yards and two touchdowns against North Carolina, 143 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown against Boston College, 147 yards against Louisville, and 162 rushing yards in the regular-season finale against rival Virginia.
Herbert finished his lone season at Virginia Tech with 1,183 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 155 carries, adding 179 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown through ten receptions. He also led the ACC with an average of 26.9 yards per kickoff return. His outstanding season earned him Second-team All-ACC honors, validating his decision to transfer and establishing him as an NFL prospect.
Chicago Bears Era (2021–2024)
The Chicago Bears selected Herbert in the sixth round, 217th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract with the Bears in June 2021. Herbert began his professional career as the team’s kick returner and third-string running back, but injuries to starter David Montgomery created an opportunity for him to earn more playing time early in his rookie season.
Herbert capitalized on his chance by recording 75 yards on 18 carries in a Week 5 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. After Damien Williams was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list, Herbert was named the starting running back for the Week 6 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. He responded with 97 rushing yards and one touchdown on 19 carries in that game. As a rookie, he finished with 433 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 103 carries.
In 2022, Herbert served as the backup to David Montgomery. His best performance came in Week 3 against the Houston Texans, where he rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries after Montgomery went down with an injury. This performance earned him FedEx Ground Player of the Week honors. However, he suffered a hip injury in Week 10 that required him to be placed on injured reserve. He returned later in the season, appearing in 13 games with one start and finishing with 731 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Herbert became the Bears’ starting running back in 2023 after David Montgomery departed for the Detroit Lions. He recorded a strong performance in Week 4 with 103 rushing yards and a touchdown, but suffered an ankle injury in Week 5 that ended his season early. He was placed on injured reserve in October and returned to action in November. In 2024, Herbert scored his first touchdown of the season in Week 2 before being traded to Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Bengals (2024)
On November 5, 2024, the Bengals acquired Herbert from the Bears in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick. He made his Bengals debut in Week 10 during a Sunday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, returning a punt for 29 yards in the loss. His primary role with Cincinnati involved kickoff return duties. When starting running back Chase Brown suffered an ankle injury late in the season, Herbert made his only start for the Bengals in Week 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, finishing with 69 yards on 20 carries.
2025 Season Journey
In March 2025, Herbert signed with the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year contract. He was released during final roster cuts in August and joined the practice squad, but was released again in early September. Later that month, he joined the Seattle Seahawks practice squad. On October 2, 2025, the New York Jets signed Herbert off the Seahawks practice squad, providing him with his current NFL home.
Playing Style and Strengths
Herbert is known for his explosive speed, elusiveness, and ability to make defenders miss in open space. His vision and patience allow him to find running lanes effectively, while his receiving skills make him a dual-threat option out of the backfield. His experience as a return specialist adds value on special teams, where he has demonstrated the ability to break big returns.
Notable Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career through 2025, Herbert has accumulated 1,957 rushing yards with a 4.7 yards-per-carry average and nine rushing touchdowns. He has also contributed 54 receptions for 316 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while adding 942 return yards on special teams. His career highlights include a 157-yard performance against Houston in 2022 and his record-setting all-purpose yardage game at Virginia Tech.
Khalil Herbert Career Highlights
Herbert’s career has been marked by consistency and the ability to step up when opportunities arose. His journey from sixth-round draft pick to starting running back in the NFL demonstrates his persistence and football IQ. Each time he received an opportunity due to injuries ahead of him on the depth chart, he produced at a high level.
NFL Career Summary
Throughout his NFL career through the 2025 season, Herbert has established himself as a reliable professional. His best statistical season came in 2022 with the Bears, where he rushed for 731 yards despite missing significant time due to injury. His rookie season showed promise with 433 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His versatility as both a runner and receiver has made him a valuable depth piece for multiple teams throughout his career.
College Achievements
At Virginia Tech, Herbert earned Second-team All-ACC honors in 2020 after his standout season with 1,183 rushing yards. His 358 all-purpose yards against Duke remain a Virginia Tech single-game record and showcase his explosive ability. His 26.9 yards-per-kickoff-return average led the entire ACC during his senior season.
Khalil Herbert Family
Background and Heritage
Herbert was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He has roots in Jamaica and the British Virgin Islands, which reflect his diverse cultural background. His international heritage has been part of his identity throughout his life and football career.
Personal Life
Herbert attended American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, where he balanced athletics with academics. He pursued higher education at both the University of Kansas and Virginia Tech, ultimately earning his degree from Virginia Tech as a graduate transfer. His decision to transfer for his final collegiate season demonstrated his ambition and drive to reach his full potential as a football player.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a journey of transitions for Herbert. After beginning the year with the Indianapolis Colts organization, he spent time with both the Colts and Seattle Seahawks before finding his current home with the New York Jets. Each move presented new opportunities to contribute and prove his value at the NFL level.
Herbert’s signing by the Jets in October 2025 marked a fresh start with a new franchise. His experience as both a running back and return specialist provides the Jets with valuable depth and flexibility in their offensive and special teams units. As he continues his career with his new team, Herbert aims to contribute whenever given the opportunity and work toward expanded role with the organization.
Throughout his career, Herbert has demonstrated the ability to perform when called upon, whether as a starter or reserve. His journey through multiple teams reflects both the competitive nature of the NFL and his determination to remain in the league. The 2025 season represents another chapter in his professional football career as he continues to pursue success with the New York Jets.