Introduction

Kimani Vidal is a rising American football running back currently playing for the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL. Born on August 28, 2001, Vidal catapulted into the national spotlight thanks to his stellar college career at Troy Trojans, followed by being drafted in 2024. In this comprehensive profile, we’ll break down everything available — from his physical attributes and performance statistics, to his background, family ties, and current contract/status.
Physical Profile: Height, Weight & Age
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Height: 5′8″ (approximately 173 cm)
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Weight: 215 lbs (≈ 97–98 kg)
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Date of Birth / Age: Born on August 28, 2001 — making him 24 years old as of December 2025.
Though comparatively shorter than many running backs in the league, his build — combined with compact strength — gives him a low center of gravity, which can be advantageous in power running and agility.
College Career & College Stats
Vidal attended Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia, before committing to Troy. His college career at Troy (2020–2023) was nothing short of exceptional.
Here’s a season-by-season breakdown:
| Season | Carries (Att) | Rushing Yards | Avg per Carry | Rushing TDs | Receptions | Receiving Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 101 | 516 | 5.1 | 4 | 26 | 225 Troy University Athletics+1 |
| 2021 | 152 | 701 | 4.6 | 5 | 22 | 134 Troy University Athletics |
| 2022 | 231 | 1,132 | 4.9 | 10 | 26 | 140 Troy University Athletics+1 |
| 2023 | 297 | 1,661 | 5.6 | 14 | 18 | 201 Troy University Athletics+2static.clubs.nfl.com+2 |
Career Totals at Troy: 4,010 rushing yards on 781 carries, 33 rushing touchdowns; 92 receptions for 700 receiving yards.
College Highlights
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Set Troy’s single-season (1,661 rushing yards) and career (4,010 yards) rushing records.
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Set single-game school record with 248 rushing yards in one game.
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In 2023: Rushed for 200+ yards in three separate games; recorded 14 rushing touchdowns — tied for 15th nationally.
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In the 2023 conference championship game: rushed for 233 yards and scored five rushing touchdowns — first player in FBS championship-game history to do so.
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Honours: 2023 Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year; 2023 AP All-America Third Team selection.
Vidal’s college record paints the picture of a workhorse back who combined durability, explosiveness, and consistency — vital traits that paved his way into the NFL.
Professional Career & NFL Stats
Draft & Team
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Drafted in 2024 by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 6th round, 181st overall pick.
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Wears jersey number 30 and plays Running Back (RB).
NFL Performance (so far)
As of the 2025 season (through Week 8):
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Rushing yards: 434 (with an average of 4.5 yards per carry)
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Rushing touchdowns: 1
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Receptions: 14, with 102 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns
In 2024, he scored a touchdown on his first official NFL touch — a 38-yard touchdown reception from Justin Herbert.
In 2025 his workload increased: he has been seeing a growing number of carries and snaps, indicating the coaching staff’s growing trust in him.
Skill Set & Workout Metrics
According to his pre-draft measurables:
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40-Yard Dash: 4.46 s — a respectable time for a back of his size
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Vertical Jump: 37.5 in; Broad Jump: 120 in — metrics that show lower-body explosiveness.
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Bench Press (strength measure): 18 reps.
His size — compact, powerful, with good explosion and agility — suggests that Vidal is more of a “power / burst” back rather than a long-strider. His lower center of gravity can help in breaking tackles, changing directions, and absorbing contact.
Family & Ethnicity / Background
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Born in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Parents: His father is named Kwame Vidal and his mother is Dayna Scott Vidal.
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His maternal grandfather is David Scott — a U.S. Representative from Georgia.
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On his maternal side, he is related to legendary MLB Hall of Famer Hank Aaron — Vidal is Aaron’s great-nephew.
As for ethnicity: given his family background from Atlanta and African-American heritage with ties to American Black communities (through David Scott, Hank Aaron), it is reasonable to conclude that Kimani Vidal identifies as African-American / Black. There is no publicly available, widely cited record describing any other ancestral or ethnic lineage beyond that.
Contract & Current Status
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Drafted in 2024 — Round 6, 181st overall.
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As of 2025, Vidal remains on the active roster of the Los Angeles Chargers.
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His increasing snap counts and touches in 2025 signal that he is being trusted more as a contributor — possibly as a secondary or rotational running back behind starters.
Because detailed contract terms (salary, duration beyond rookie contract, incentives) are not broadly publicized for rookie / low-round picks, exact salary and contract length details are not easily available.
Playing Style & Strengths
From scouting reports and his measurable traits:
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Vidal combines explosiveness (40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump) with compact build and strength, traits that often translate into low-center-of-gravity power running and tackle-breaking ability.
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His college production — multiple 200+ yard games, high carry volumes — showcases his durability, stamina, and consistency.
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He has also shown pass-catching ability (receiving yards in college), which suggests versatility as a back who can contribute in both rushing and receiving.
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Good pass-blocking and pass-pro instincts: In college, among running backs with at least 20 targets, he was “one of just eight players nationally to not be charged with a dropped pass.”
Overall — Vidal appears to be a well-rounded back: not just a pure speedster, but a balanced running back capable of handling contact, inside runs, pass protection, and receiving duties.
FAQs
Q1: How tall is Kimani Vidal?
A: He is listed at 5 feet 8 inches (≈ 173 cm).
Q2: What is Kimani Vidal’s weight and age?
A: He weighs around 215 lbs (≈ 97–98 kg) and was born on August 28, 2001, making him 24 years old as of December 2025.
Q3: Which team drafted Kimani Vidal and when?
A: He was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 6th round (181st overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Q4: What are some of his college career highlights?
A: Among many achievements — he rushed for 1,661 yards in 2023 (school single-season record), set a single-game record with 248 yards, scored 14 rushing touchdowns in 2023, and in the conference championship game rushed for 233 yards and 5 touchdowns (first player in FBS history to do that in a conference championship).
Q5: What is known about his family background and ethnicity?
A: He was born in Atlanta, Georgia. His parents are Kwame Vidal and Dayna Scott Vidal, the latter being the daughter of U.S. Representative David Scott. He is also the great-nephew of MLB Hall of Famer Hank Aaron. His heritage is African-American.
Q6: What is his current status with the Chargers?
A: As of 2025, Vidal remains on the active roster for the Los Angeles Chargers and has been receiving increased carries and touches, indicating an expanded role in the offense.
What’s Next for Kimani Vidal — Outlook & Potential
Given his physical profile, college pedigree, and early NFL performance, Kimani Vidal appears to have the tools to carve out a long-term role in the NFL, especially if he continues to develop his all-around skill set. Some potential developments and things to watch:
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Increased workload: As injuries and roster rotations occur (as with many NFL teams), Vidal may see more carries, especially if he maintains efficiency per carry.
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Dual-threat value: His ability to catch passes and pass-block could make him valuable in passing situations, third-down back roles, or as change-of-pace back.
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Role as change-of-pace / rotational back: Given his compact build and burst, he may excel in short-yardage, inside runs, and between-the-tackles scenarios — complementing bigger, more bruising or faster backs.
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Longevity: Compact, well-built backs often have longer careers if they maintain fitness and avoid injuries. His college history of heavy workload suggests durability.
That said — NFL is unpredictable: playing time, team needs, competition at RB, injuries all factor in. But so far, Vidal’s early career suggests a promising trajectory.
Conclusion
Kimani Vidal’s journey: from high-school standout in Georgia to record-setting college back at Troy, to 2024 sixth-round NFL draft pick — maps a path defined by hard work, versatility, and resilience. His physical attributes (5′8″, 215 lbs), combined with his explosiveness, agility, and pass-catching ability make him a modern NFL back with multiple dimensions.
While it’s early in his professional career, the signs suggest Vidal could become a solid contributor — perhaps not a superstar yet, but a dependable back with upside. For fans and analysts alike, he’s a name worth tracking in the coming seasons.