Throughout the 2025 NFL season, SB Nation’s Doug Farrar will write about the game’s Secret Superstars — those players whose performances might slip under the radar for whatever reasons. In this installment, we turn our attention to Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal, an underrated weapon who was expected to go off by everyone in his own locker room, and did that against the Miami Dolphins’ defense when given the chance.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always had a thing for undersized
running backs. The “Muscle Hamster” prototype can be a highly successful one in the right offense, and when the Chargers selected Troy’s Kimani Vidal with the 182nd overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 draft, I loved the fit.
Vidal measured in at the scouting combine at 5′ 7⅞ and 213 pounds, but he didn’t run small or light for the Trojans. In 2023, he gained 1,661 yards and scored 14 touchdowns on 295 carries. Among all backs in the 2023 class, nobody had more yards after contact (1,056) and missed tackles forced (94), and Vidal wasn’t just beating up on smaller schools.
Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman had a nice history of working with smaller backs during his time running the Baltimore Ravens – think Mark Ingram, J.K. Dobbins, and Justice Hill – so if anybody could get the most out of Vidal, it would seem to be Roman.
Still, in his rookie season, Vidal toted the rock just 43 times for 155 yards, and the fact that the team selected North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton with the 22nd pick in 2025 told you that the Chargers wanted a true franchise-defining back, which Hampton has the talent to be over time. Hampton validated the Chargers’ faith in him with 314 yards, two touchdowns, 22 forced missed tackles, and four runs of 15+ yards on just 66 carries through his first five NFL games. But when Hampton suffered an ankle injury against the Washington Commanders in Week 5 and was subsequently placed on injured reserve (that means he’ll be out at least four games), it was time for another solution.
Enter Mr. Vidal. The plan was for Vidal and Hassan Haskins – a much bigger back – to share the reps.
“There’s a great opportunity for others to really make a name for themselves in this league,” Roman said mid-week as the Chargers were preparing for the Miami Dolphins. It’s what they’ve been dreaming about since they were [kids]. That’s the exciting part of it.”
As it turns out, Haskins didn’t stand a chance, because Vidal went off against Miami’s defense. He gained 124 yards on just 18 carries with 62 yards after contact, three forced missed tackles, and four runs of 10 or more yards. Moreover, Vidal didn’t have a single negative run, and when the Dolphins stacked the box against him, Vidal spit that right back in their faces.
Of his four explosive runs, two were inside zone, one was outside zone, and one was in straight-on man blocking. Not much more one running back can do in a single game to tell the world that he’s ready for whatever.
“Yeah, it was awesome to see,” quarterback Justin Herbert said of his new primary back. “He had a great year last year. He stepped up [with] some big-time big plays last year, so that’s what we were expecting from him. He’s done such a great job of listening and understanding what we’re asking of him. He took the most of it today, and it’s awesome to see that he took the most of that opportunity.”
Guard Zion Johnson bristled at the idea that Vidal appeared out of the blue for this game.
“I mean, he didn’t really come out of nowhere. Kimani has made a lot of plays throughout his time here. I even think back to last year against the Broncos, his first touchdown he scored. He’s a dynamic electric guy. We know if we give him opportunities to make plays like that, he’s going to have a great day, and that’s what he did today.”
Johnson was referring to this 38-yard touchdown in Week 6 of the 2024 season, when Vidal took a deep rail route to the house. He was not a secret to anyone in the Chargers’ locker room.
“We know how electric he is, and it’s just great for the world to see what type of running back he is.” Johnson concluded.
Vidal’s receiving touchdown against Miami showed the same kind of explosiveness, with more of that response to contact.
As for Vidal, he’s just thinking about what more he can do. That process begins next Sunday, when the Chargers face the Indianapolis Colts at home.
“Really, to just showcase my talents,” he said when asked about the statement he wanted to make. “I felt like, before this game, I just hadn’t done much on our field. Like I played here and there, I had good plays here and there, I’ve had negative plays here and there. I just wanted to just do more.”
Well, if Vidal can do even more than he did against the Dolphins, that will be quite something.
