Kimani Vidal
Kimani Vidal is an American professional football running back for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League. He played college football for the Troy Trojans and was selected by the Chargers in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Early life
Vidal was born in Atlanta to Kwame Vidal and Dayna Scott Vidal, the daughter of U.S. Representative David Scott. He attended Marietta [High School (Georgia)|Marietta High School], where he was rated a three-star recruit. Vidal committed to play college football at Troy over offers from LSU, Memphis, South Alabama, South Carolina and Syracuse.College career
In week 5 of the 2020 season, Vidal rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown in a win over 2020 [Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team|Eastern Kentucky]. He finished his freshman season in 2020 with 101 carries for 516 yards and four touchdowns, while also hauling in 26 receptions for 225 yards.In week 7 of the 2021 season, Vidal rushed for 162 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries in a 31-28 win over 2021 [Texas State Bobcats football team|Texas State]. He finished the season with 701 yards and five touchdowns on 152 carries, while also bringing in 22 receptions for 134 yards.
In week 12 of the 2022 season, Vidal rushed for 242 yards and two touchdowns in a win over 2022 [Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team|Louisiana–Monroe], earning Sun Belt Conference offensive player of the week honors. The following week, he rushed for 208 yards and four touchdowns to help beat 2022 [Arkansas State Red Wolves football team|Arkansas State] and advance to the Sun Belt championship game. Vidal finished his breakout 2022 season with 1,132 yards and 10 touchdowns on 231 carries, while also notching 26 receptions for 140 yards. For his performance on the season, Vidal was named second-team all-Sun Belt.
In the 2023 season opener, Vidal set the Troy single game rushing yard record with 248 yards in a win over football team|Stephen F. Austin]. In week 6, he rushed for 245 yards and three touchdowns in a win over 2023 [Arkansas State Red Wolves football team|Arkansas State] and was named the Sun Belt offensive player of the week. Vidal went on to be named the Sun Belt offensive player of the year and won the MVP award in the 2023 [Sun Belt Conference Football Championship Game|2023 conference championship game] after becoming the first player ever to rush for five touchdowns in an FBS conference championship.
Professional career
Vidal was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers with the 181st overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He made his NFL debut in a win over the Denver Broncos on October 13, scoring on his first official touch, a 38-yard touchdown reception from Justin Herbert.Vidal was waived on August 26, 2025 as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on October 8 after Omarion Hampton was placed on injured reserve. In Week 6 against the Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins], Vidal rushed 18 times for 124 yards, also hauling in three receptions for 14 yards and a touchdown.