There are those draft prospects who find themselves relatively forgotten because of any number of things: They may be playing a position that’s either stacked or has lost some value in recent years, they may be smaller-school guys, or perhaps they don’t fit the NFL’s collective paradigm for their position.
At 5-foot-8 and 203 pounds, Troy running back Kimani Vidal would seem to have all three of those strikes against him: He’s a smaller guy at a position many see as fungible, and he did his thing in the Sun Belt. So, you probably haven’t heard Vidal’s name as much as some other running backs unless you’re fully invested in the Draft Industrial Complex.
Now, it’s time for an introduction. Last season, no back in the 2024 draft class had more carries (295) or rushing yards (1,661) than Vidal, and he wasn’t doing it all against “subpar” competition, as we will see. Vidal scored 14 touchdowns on the ground, and he was a threat to bust a play wide open at any time with his accelerant speed (19 rushes of 15 or more yards last season) and ability to create after contact (his numbers after contact are listed below, and they’re ridiculous). We will mention for the record that Vidal’s 94 missed tackles forced last season put 20 above any other back in this class; UCF’s RJ Harvey ranked second with 74.
Vidal might not look like a future NFL back on the surface, but once you put on the tape, it’s easy to see how he could be a real asset to any professional run game.
PLUSES
— Led all backs in this class in both yards after contact (1,056) and missed tackles forced (94); he’s an explosive play waiting to happen most of the time.
— Vidal’s jump cuts may pace those of every back in this class; he’ll leave defenders haplessly gasping in his wake.
— Acceleration to the boundary is exceptional, and he’s a tough runner. Vidal has no issue delivering a blow as he’s taking one.
— Smooth glider to and through the hole as an inside runner. Has a nice eye for openings as they happen.
— Has good reps as a receiver out of the backfield, with some slot potential.
MINUSES
— Vidal had 28 negative runs on 250 carries last season; as explosive as he is more often than not, there is a boom-or-bust element to his running style.
— His blocking isn’t terrible, but he’s more gnat-like in power situations than he is a real headbanger.
— Strength of competition will be an obvious concern for NFL evaluators, but he had credible games against Kansas State and Duke last season. (His 46-yard run against Kansas State is featured below).
Vidal was perhaps at his most productive as a gap runner in college, but I would love him as an inside/outside zone guy at the next level. No matter where he lands, his big-play potential and Muscle Hamster physique project well for professional success.
Kimani Vidal, RB, Troy
PLUSES
— Led all backs in this class in both yards after contact (1,056) and missed tackles forced (94); he's an explosive play waiting to happen most of the time.
— Vidal's jump cuts may pace those of every back in this class; he'll leave defenders… pic.twitter.com/ieHI9MZScP
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) March 24, 2024
