Kimani Vidal
Troy Trojans No. 28
PositionRunning back
ClassJunior
MajorExercise Science
Personal information
Born: (2001-08-28) August 28, 2001
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight215 lb (98 kg)
Career history
College
  • Troy (2020–present)
Bowl games
High schoolMarietta (Marietta, Georgia)
Career highlights and awards

Kimani Vidal (born August 28, 2001) is an American football running back for the Troy Trojans.

Early life and high school

Vidal grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and attended Marietta High School. He was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at Troy over offers from LSU, Memphis, South Alabama, South Carolina and Syracuse.[1][2]

College career

In week five of the 2020 season, Vidal had a breakout game where he rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown, as he helped Troy beat Eastern Kentucky.[3] Vidal finished his freshman season in 2020 with 101 carries for 516 yards and four touchdowns, while also hauling in 26 receptions for 225 yards.[4]

In week seven of the 2021 season, Vidal would rush for 162 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, as he helped the Trojans beat Texas State 31-28.[5] Vidal would finish the 2021 season with 701 yards and five touchdowns on 152 carries, while also bringing in 22 receptions for 134 yards.[6]

In week twelve of the 2022 season, Vidal would rush for 242 yards and two touchdowns, in a win over Louisiana–Monroe. For his performance on the game, Vidal would be named the Sun-Belt offensive player of the week.[7][8] In the following week, Vidal would run for 208 yards and four touchdowns, as he helped Troy beat Arkansas State and advance to the Sun Belt championship game.[9] Vidal would finish his breakout 2022 season with 1,132 yards and ten touchdowns on 231 carries, while also notching 26 receptions for 140 yards.[10] For his performance on the season, Vidal would be named second team all Sun Belt.[11]

Vidal would start the 2023 season, setting the Troy single game rushing yard record by rushing for 248 yards in a win over Stephen F. Austin in week one.[12] In week six, Vidal would rush for 245 yards and three touchdowns, as he helped the Trojans beat Arkansas State.[13] For his performance on the week, Vidal was named the Sun Belt offensive player of the week.[14] He went on to be named the Sun Belt offensive player of the year and won the MVP award in the 2023 conference championship game after becoming the first player ever to rush for 5 touchdowns in an FBS conference championship.[15]

References

  1. "Kimani Vidal, Marietta, Running Back". 247sports.com. August 1, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  2. Robinson, Prince. "Marietta RB Kimani Vidal commits to Troy". Marietta Daily Journal. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  3. Johnson, Jon. "Troy notebook: Kimani Vidal, Troy running game continues to be bright spot". Dothan Eagle. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  4. "Kimani Vidal 2020 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  5. Stephenson, Creg. "Troy holds on for 31-28 victory over Texas State". AL.com. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  6. "Kimani Vidal 2021 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  7. Stephenson, Creg. "Kimani Vidal, Troy pummel ULM 34-16 for 8th straight win". AL.com. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  8. Stephenson, Creg. "Troy's Kimani Vidal honored by Sun Belt Conference". AL.com. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  9. "Vidal has 4 TDs, Troy advances to Sun Belt championship game". CBS Sports. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  10. "Kimani Vidal 2022 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  11. "Sun Belt Announces 2022 Football Postseason Awards & All-Conference Teams". Sun Belt Coneference. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  12. Johnson, Jon. "Kimani Vidal breaks single-game rushing record previously held by Eddie Brundidge during Troy win". Dothan Eagle. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  13. Stephenson, Creg. "Kimani Vidal, Troy pummel Arkansas State 37-3 for 3rd straight victory". AL.com. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  14. Boutwell, Josh. "Kimani Vidal earns SBC Offensive Player of the Week". Troy Messanger. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  15. Griffin, Nick (2023-12-04). "Troy repeats as Sun Belt champions". The Cullman Tribune. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
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