Kimani Vidal 2024 NFL Draft Overview
Height: Five-foot-eight
Weight: 213 pounds
Position: Running back
School: Troy
2024 NFL Draft: Kimani Vidal Scouting Report
If there was one thing to describe Kimani Vidal it would be “offensive weapon.” At every step of the way, Vidal was a productive, explosive member of the Troy offense and had the numbers to back it up. As a true freshman, Vidal earned an All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention with 516 yards and four touchdowns off of 101 carries in just nine games. In his second season, Vidal kept command of the Trojans offense. This time in 12 games, he ran the ball 152 times for 71 yards and five touchdowns.
Then, Jon Sumerall came in and revamped the offense to be run-first and Vidal became one of the best backs in the nation. His 1,132 yards and 10 touchdowns off of 231 carries helped to lead Troy to its first Sun Belt title since 2017.
It was more of the same in 2023. Vidal led the Trojans to back-to-back Sun Belt titles off of his monster 297-carry, 1,661-yard, 14-touchdown performance. He led the nation in both attempts and yards and finished third in touchdowns. There aren’t many prospects in this class to compare to his 781 carries, 4,010 yards, and 33 touchdowns on the ground.
All in all, Vidal finished as a Third-Team All-American (2023), First-Team All-Sun Belt (2023), Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year (2023), and Second-Team All-Sun Belt (2022).
Strengths
- Legit receiving threat out of the backfield, amassed 700 yards and a touchdown off of 92 receptions in college
- Incredibly productive, can carry an offense
- Low center of gravity is evidenced by his great sense of balance
- Great acceleration
- Has a feel for developing rush lanes and overall high football IQ
- Difficult to bring down one-on-one
- Will find the endzone no matter what
Weaknesses
- Doesn’t really have breakaway speed
- Is not a great lateral runner
- Very, very short
- Too often would forgo the inside run to bounce outside and lose momentum and yardage
NFL Player Comparison: Jaylen Warren
Projection: Sixth Round
Best Fits: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs
Bottom Line on Kimani Vidal
Running backs with over 4,000 rushing yards don’t grow on trees. Vidal was a workhorse at Troy and was a massive reason for that offense’s success. Vidal was one of the premier backs in all of college football and, unfortunately, the average fan probably doesn’t know his name.
All in all, Vidal was an uber-productive focal point in his team’s offense and was able to carry the load, and did not miss any time over his two elite seasons. He surpassed 100 yards in a single game 14 times. On five occasions, he went over 200!
An issue with his game, other than the question of how much tread is left on the tires after 781 carries, is whether can he be a third-down back. As a receiver, Vidal excels. He can line up as a receiver or kick out of the backfield. Plus, he had the best PFF rating for pass blocking out of any back in the class. Even then, NFL teams will see the work he did with Troy and know they’re getting a solid back.
He’s not projected to develop into a solidified RB1 in an NFL offense. However, he can be a change-of-pace back ala Tony Pollard to Ezekiel Elliot when the two were in Dallas.
In terms of fantasy, he may be worth a stash handcuff in deep dynasty leagues but for redraft, no chance.
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