Kimani Vidal Bio
Kimani Vidal (vi-DAHL) is an American professional football running back for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 28, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia, he played college football for the Troy Trojans from 2020 to 2023 before being selected by the Chargers in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 181st overall pick. Vidal has established himself as a dynamic dual-threat running back, combining powerful rushing ability with reliable pass-catching skills that translated from his record-setting college career to the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Vidal was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to Kwame Vidal and Dayna Scott Vidal. His maternal grandfather is former U.S. Representative David Scott, making him part of a distinguished political family. Additionally, Vidal is the great-nephew of baseball legend Hank Aaron, whose sister Alfredia is Vidal’s grandmother. This connection to athletic excellence runs deep in his family tree.
Growing up in Atlanta, Vidal attended Marietta High School, where he developed his skills as a football player. He was rated as a three-star recruit coming out of high school. His impressive high school performance attracted attention from multiple college programs across the Southeast and beyond.
Path to American Football
Vidal received scholarship offers from several prominent college football programs, including LSU, Memphis, South Alabama, South Carolina, and Syracuse. After careful consideration, he chose to continue his football career at Troy University, where he believed he would have the best opportunity to develop as a player and eventually reach the NFL.
His decision to attend Troy proved instrumental in his development. Under the Troy coaching staff, Vidal refined his running style and built the foundation that would later earn him recognition as one of the most productive backs in the Sun Belt Conference. His progression from a promising freshman to an elite collegiate running back demonstrated his dedication to the sport and his ability to improve year after year.
Kimani Vidal Career
College Career (2020–2023)
Vidal began his collegiate career at Troy in 2020 and made an immediate impact. In week five of his freshman season, he rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown in a victory over Eastern Kentucky. He finished his debut season with 101 carries for 516 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, while also contributing as a receiver with 26 receptions for 225 yards.
His sophomore season in 2021 showed continued growth. In week seven against Texas State, Vidal posted 162 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, helping Troy secure a 31-28 victory. He concluded the season with 701 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 152 carries, adding 22 receptions for 134 yards through the air.
Troy Breakthrough (2022–2023)
The 2022 season marked Vidal’s breakout year. In week 12 against Louisiana–Monroe, he delivered a spectacular performance with 242 rushing yards and two touchdowns, earning Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors. The following week, he rushed for 208 yards and four touchdowns against Arkansas State, propelling Troy to the Sun Belt Championship Game. He finished the season with 1,132 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 231 carries, along with 26 receptions for 140 yards. His outstanding performance earned him second-team All-Sun Belt recognition.
The 2023 season cemented Vidal’s status as an elite collegiate running back. In the season opener against Stephen F. Austin, he set the Troy single-game rushing record with 248 yards. In week six against Arkansas State, he rushed for 245 yards and three touchdowns, earning another Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week award. Vidal was named the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year and earned MVP honors in the conference championship game, becoming the first player ever to rush for five touchdowns in an FBS conference championship. His exceptional 2023 campaign also earned him third-team All-American honors.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–Present)
Vidal was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers with the 181st overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He reported to training camp ready to compete for playing time in a Chargers backfield looking to establish the run game. His collegiate production and versatility made him an intriguing mid-round prospect.
He made his NFL debut on October 13, 2024, in a victory over the Denver Broncos. On his first official touch in the NFL, Vidal scored on a 38-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Justin Herbert, announcing his arrival in dramatic fashion. He was waived on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts but was re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster on October 8, 2025, after Omarion Hampton was placed on injured reserve.
Driving Style and Strengths
Vidal plays with a combination of power and elusiveness that makes him effective in multiple offensive schemes. His low center of gravity allows him to break tackles, while his vision enables him to find cutback lanes. His pass-catching ability out of the backfield adds another dimension to his game, making him a dual-threat weapon in the passing attack.
Notable Events and Milestones
In Week 6 of the 2025 season against the Miami Dolphins, Vidal delivered his most productive NFL performance to that point, rushing 18 times for 124 yards while also catching three passes for 14 yards and a touchdown. That game demonstrated his ability to contribute as both a rusher and receiver at the professional level.
Kimani Vidal Career Statistics
Vidal has compiled impressive statistics across his collegiate and professional career, demonstrating consistency and growth at each level.
College Highlights
During his four seasons at Troy University, Vidal amassed over 3,000 career rushing yards while showing consistent improvement each year. His 2023 season stands out as his most prolific, highlighted by the single-game rushing record and his historic five-touchdown performance in the conference championship. His 1,404 rushing yards in 2023 led the Sun Belt Conference and placed him among the national leaders.
NFL Statistics
Through his first seasons with the Chargers, Vidal has shown promise as a complementary back. His rookie campaign included the memorable touchdown against Denver, while his 2025 performances showed increasing comfort in the offense.
| Level | Years | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Receptions | Receiving Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2024–2025) | 2 | 798 | 3 | 21 | 198 |
| College (2020–2023) | 4 | 3,262 | 26 | 88 | 704 |
Kimani Vidal Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Vidal comes from an accomplished family with deep roots in both athletics and public service. His maternal grandfather, David Scott, served as a U.S. Representative from Georgia for over two decades. His great-uncle, Hank Aaron, is widely considered one of the greatest baseball players in history and held the MLB career home run record for more than three decades.
Personal Life
Vidal has one sister named Kaylin. The legacy of excellence in his family has undoubtedly influenced his athletic pursuits, providing him with a framework for achieving success at the highest levels of competition. His grandfather’s political career and Hank Aaron’s legendary baseball achievements represent standards of excellence that Vidal continues to build upon in his own football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a significant year for Vidal’s development with the Chargers. After beginning the year on the practice squad following initial roster cuts, he earned a promotion to the active roster in October when the team needed depth at running back. This opportunity allowed him to showcase the skills that made him a productive college player.
His standout performance against the Miami Dolphins in Week 6 demonstrated his ability to be an effective every-down back when called upon. The 124-yard rushing performance marked a breakthrough in his young NFL career and provided the coaching staff with confidence in his abilities. His contribution as a receiver, with both his Week 1 touchdown and consistent production throughout the season, underscores his value as a dual-threat player in the Chargers’ offense.
Looking ahead, Vidal continues to work toward securing a larger role within the Chargers’ offensive scheme. His combination of rushing productivity, receiving skills, and football intelligence positions him well for continued opportunities in the NFL. The 2025 season has been a proving ground for the young running back, and his performances suggest he has the tools to be a reliable contributor for years to come.