If you’ve been following the Los Angeles Chargers or keeping an eye on fantasy football sleeper backs, you might have noticed the name Kimani Vidal creeping up more often lately. A compact, powerful running back with an under-the-radar college career, Vidal is quietly building a story worth watching. In this article we’ll dive into who he is, his journey from high school to the NFL, what his numbers tell us, how he fits in fantasy, and what to expect going forward.
Early Life & Biography
Kimani Vidal was born on August 28, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia. ESPN.com+2chargers.com+2 He attended Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia, where he helped lead the program to its first-ever 7A state championship as a senior, earning MVP honors after rushing for about 1,589 yards and 24 touchdowns on the ground, plus making impact as a receiver. static.clubs.nfl.com+1
What makes Vidal’s background even more interesting: he’s the great-nephew of baseball legend Hank Aaron, which gives him a unique athletic heritage. chargers.com+1
At 5′8″ and 215 lbs, Vidal may be shorter than many NFL backs, but his build gives him a low centre of gravity and power in contact — traits he’s used to his advantage. ESPN.com+1
College Career & Breakout at Troy Trojans
Vidal’s college journey at Troy University was one of steady growth followed by a breakout season.
Highlights & milestones:
- In 2020 (freshman year), he rushed for 516 yards on 101 carries, while also collecting 26 receptions for 225 yards. static.clubs.nfl.com+1
- In 2022, he posted 1,132 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 231 carries, including huge games of 242 yards (ULM) and 208 yards (Arkansas State). static.clubs.nfl.com
- In 2023, Vidal exploded: 1,661 rushing yards (on 297 carries), 14 touchdowns. He set Troy single-season and single-game rushing records, and made history by rushing for five touchdowns in the Sun Belt Championship game — the first player in FBS championship-game history to do so. static.clubs.nfl.com+1
- His college résumé also included elite metrics: for example, in 2023 he led the country in “missed tackles forced” (94) and “rushes of 10+ yards” (47) among backs. Bolts From The Blue+1
This strong college performance made Vidal a compelling prospect. His smaller size did raise questions for NFL evaluators, but his production and explosive traits stood out.
Draft Profile & NFL Entry
In the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chargers selected Kimani Vidal in the 6th round (181st overall). chargers.com+2NFL.com+2
What happened between college and pro:
- At the draft combine / pre-draft phase, his physical testing and college production were scrutinised. While he may not have had the size of a every-down back, his compact power and explosion made him intriguing.
- The Chargers believed his build and style — a “pocket-power back” with a lot of contact resilience — could translate, especially in their offensive scheme which favours backs who can handle contact and pass-catching. (Analyst commentary) Bolts From The Blue
- Being a later-round pick meant he was not guaranteed a starring role out of the gate — but lots of upside.
Pro Career to Date (2024-25)
Here’s where things stand with Vidal in the NFL.
2024 season (rookie year):
- Appeared in 10 games. NFL.com+2chargers.com+2
- Rushed 43 times for 155 yards (3.6 yards per carry) and 0 rushing touchdowns. NFL.com
- Caught 5 passes for 62 yards and 1 receiving touchdown. NFL.com
- The numbers were modest, but the sample size was limited and he was behind more established backs on the depth chart.
2025 season (so far):
- In early appearances: 22 carries for 142 yards (avg ≈6.5) through a few games. ESPN.com+1
- A breakout moment: one game where he had 18 carries for 124 yards with 6.9 yards/attempt and 3 receptions for 14 yards. chargers.com+1
- Notably, the Chargers placed another running back, Omarion Hampton, on injured reserve in October 2025, and Vidal was promoted to the active roster → opening more opportunity.
Verdict: Vidal is still early in his pro career, but the trajectory is moving in the right direction. His efficiency in limited carries in 2025 has shown what he can do, even if the workload is just ramping up.
How Good Is Kimani Vidal? Strengths & Weaknesses
Let’s break down what makes Vidal interesting — and what needs watching.
Strengths:
- Compact, powerful build that allows low centre of gravity and strong contact balance.
- Outstanding college metrics: missed tackles forced, big-play ability, yards after contact. Bolts From The Blue
- Versatility: can catch passes out of the backfield, which adds value in modern NFL schemes.
- Opportunity: with injuries in the Chargers’ backfield, Vidal has a chance to step into a larger role.
Weaknesses / Risks:
- Still relatively untested at the NFL level: rookie season numbers were limited.
- The average yards per carry in 2024 (3.6) is underwhelming for a breakout expectation. NFL.com
- The Chargers’ offensive line, scheme, and competition at the position will affect how high his ceiling can go.
- Workload unknown: even with opportunity, splitting carries or unpredictable usage can hamper fantasy value.
Overall: Kimani Vidal is a player with promising upside — he might not yet be a “guaranteed star,” but he has enough traits and early indicators to make him one of the more interesting young backs in the league.
Fantasy Football Outlook & Dynasty Value
For fantasy football players, especially those in PPR formats or dynasty leagues, Vidal is worth a look.
Fantasy keywords to keep in mind: kimani vidal fantasy, kimani vidal dynasty, kimani vidal outlook.
What the numbers and commentary suggest:
- With 22 carries for 142 yards early in 2025, he is averaging ~6.5 yards per carry — that’s strong efficiency. ESPN.com
- PFF and other analysts have flagged him as an undervalued back with breakout potential, especially given the Chargers’ roster injuries. Bolts From The Blue
- That said, fantasy managers should monitor matchups: his upside is higher when he plays more snaps and gets near-workload touches.
Start/Sit guidance:
- Deep leagues / dynasty: Vidal should be on your radar and possibly your roster — his age (24) and upside are appealing.
- Weekly starters: If Vidal is getting lead-back touches and you have a favorable matchup (weak run defense opponent), he’s a viable start. If workload uncertain or matchup tough, you may treat him as a flex rather than a set-and-forget starter.
Dynasty value: His combination of youth, room to grow, and emerging touches make him a back you might stash now for future return.
Family & Personal Life
- Kimani Vidal is from Atlanta (Marietta, GA). Wikipedia+1
- He comes from a strong athletic lineage: his great-uncle is Hank Aaron. chargers.com
- His parents: Kwame and Dayna Vidal; sister: Kaylin. Wikipedia
- Off the field: While there aren’t many public details yet about luxury houses, cars or major endorsements (since his career is still early), his rising profile suggests those might follow if he continues to produce.
Lifestyle: What We Know
Since Vidal is early in his NFL career, the full luxury lifestyle coverage (houses, endorsements, big-ticket cars) is still modest compared to veteran stars. But here are key notes:
- His social presence: active on X (formerly Twitter) under @kimanividal. X (formerly Twitter)
- Endorsement prospect: With his athletic background + breakout potential, it’s likely he’ll attract deals if his role grows.
- Lifestyle inference: Given his size and playing style, one might imagine Vidal enjoys strength and conditioning, performance-driven hobbies, travelling on game days, and perhaps local community involvement.
Latest News / Trending Updates
- In October 2025, the Chargers placed Omarion Hampton on injured reserve, then added Kimani Vidal to the active roster — giving him a more prominent role. Reuters+1
- Analysts featured him in “Secret Superstars” lists, highlighting his big-play ability and that his breakout could be ahead of schedule. Bolts From The Blue
- Opponent previews for the Chargers identify Vidal as the primary running back in the near term, pointing to his increasing importance in the team’s offense. Stampede Blue
Net Worth & Income Sources
While exact net worth figures for Kimani Vidal aren’t widely published yet, here’s a breakdown of what we do know:
- As a 6th-round pick (#181 overall in 2024) with the Chargers, Vidal signed a rookie contract typical for that slot. chargers.com+1
- Income sources:
- NFL salary (base + guaranteed + incentives)
- Potential game/active roster bonuses if he sees more snaps
- Future endorsements (as his profile rises)
- Since his breakout is just starting, his net worth today is modest compared to veteran backs — but the trajectory is upward.
FAQs
Q1: Who is Kimani Vidal?
A: He is a running back for the Los Angeles Chargers, drafted in the 6th round in 2024 out of Troy University. chargers.com+1
Q2: What are Kimani Vidal’s college stats?
A: At Troy, Vidal rushed for:
- 2022: 1,132 yards, 10 touchdowns. static.clubs.nfl.com+1
- 2023: 1,661 yards, 14 touchdowns, and set school records. static.clubs.nfl.com+1
Q3: What are Kimani Vidal’s NFL stats so far?
A: In 2024: 43 carries for 155 yards (3.6 avg), 5 receptions for 62 yards. NFL.com+1 In early 2025: 22 carries for 142 yards (~6.5 avg) through limited games. ESPN.com
Q4: What is Kimani Vidal’s fantasy football outlook?
A: He is an interesting fantasy target — especially in deeper leagues or dynasty formats. If his role grows and he gets more touches, he has upside. That said, the workload is still emerging, so he may carry some risk week-to-week.
Q5: How is Kimani Vidal related to Hank Aaron?
A: He is the great-nephew of Hank Aaron, the legendary baseball figure. chargers.com+1
Conclusion
Kimani Vidal is the kind of player that makes you lean forward and say: “Okay, keep an eye on him.” From Marietta High School standout to record-breaking college back at Troy, to a sixth-round NFL pick now earning a shot to shine with the Chargers — his story is compelling. If you’re a Chargers fan, a fantasy owner, or just someone who enjoys following emerging NFL stars, Vidal is one you’ll want on your radar.