2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Kimani Vidal, RB Troy
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Kimani Vidal was a 3-star prospect out of Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia. He officially committed to Troy in June of 2019.
In his freshman year, Vidal averaged 5.1 yards per carry and scored 4 touchdowns. He also caught 26 passes for 225 yards.
During his sophomore season, Vidal had an increase in carries with 52 more rushing attempts. Although he averaged less yards per carry, he gained almost 200 more rushing yards than the previous season. Vidal continued to demonstrate his ability to catch passes, recording 22 receptions for 134 yards.
During his junior season, Vidal had a breakout year. He took charge of the backfield and excelled in his role. Vidal ran the ball 231 times for 1,132 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Additionally, he contributed to the passing game with 26 receptions and 140 yards.
During the previous season, Vidal experienced a breakthrough and he continued to progress from there. In his final year, he managed an average of 5.6 yards per carry during 297 rushing attempts, which amounted to a total of 1,661 rushing yards. Additionally, he had 18 more receptions for 201 yards and scored a total of 15 touchdowns. Vidal’s performance improved each season, and he became even more powerful, faster, and elusive as he continued to develop within the team’s offense.
Measurables
NCAA Statistics
| Rushing | Receiving | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2020 | Troy | Sun Belt | FR | RB | 9 | 101 | 516 | 5.1 | 4 | 26 | 225 | 8.7 | 0 | 127 | 741 | 5.8 | 4 |
| 2021 | Troy | Sun Belt | FR | RB | 11 | 152 | 701 | 4.6 | 5 | 22 | 134 | 6.1 | 0 | 174 | 835 | 4.8 | 5 |
| *2022 | Troy | Sun Belt | SO | 14 | 231 | 1132 | 4.9 | 10 | 26 | 140 | 5.4 | 0 | 257 | 1272 | 4.9 | 10 | |
| *2023 | Troy | Sun Belt | SR | RB | 14 | 297 | 1661 | 5.6 | 14 | 18 | 201 | 11.2 | 1 | 315 | 1862 | 5.9 | 15 |
| Career | Troy | 781 | 4010 | 5.1 | 33 | 92 | 700 | 7.6 | 1 | 873 | 4710 | 5.4 | 34 | ||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- Has exceptional contact balance in traffic. 230 missed tackles forced in 4 years.
- Juggernaut. Gains momentum as he runs through defenders.
- Dual threat. Showed his receiving skills averaging 23 receptions per season.
- Versatile. He can run with force through the tackles. He uses his agility to glide to the outside and breakaway. His natural ability as a pass-catching back makes him a three-down back.
Weaknesses
- He is slightly undersized at 5’8 but has nothing but muscle & uses his strength to avoid tackles.
- He did not put up numbers against Power4 (Power 5) schools last season, so there are questions about his level of competition.
- He can catch with smooth hands, but he is not a true route runner. He is most effective in short, flat, screen passes.
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Round 6/7
Ideal Landing Spot: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens signed Derrick Henry but lost Gus Edwards. Vidal will not get the opportunity to start out the gate, but he can learn how to be dominant from the king himself. The future could be bright for the young back if he is given the chance to study Henry’s work ethic.
Plus, he can be effective in the passing game. This is an area of the game in which Vidal has an edge over Henry.
Post-Draft Analysis
Pick 6.181 to the Los Angeles Charges
Vidal
