Jacob Kibodi Bio
Jacob Kibodi is an American professional football running back. Born on October 4, 1998, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, he signed with the New Orleans Saints as a free agent. He has also spent time with the Cleveland Browns and the Memphis Showboats.
Kibodi’s professional journey is shaped by perseverance. Before he was born, doctors advised his mother to terminate the pregnancy due to health concerns, but she chose to continue, encouraged by her faith and family support. That early story of resilience has carried into a career that has taken him across multiple teams and leagues.
Early Life and Background
Jacob Kibodi was born on October 4, 1998, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is one of three children raised in the same city. His early years in Baton Rouge shaped his character and introduced him to football at a young age.
Before his birth, doctors told his mother that he was not growing properly and that he could be born small. According to The Advocate, they recommended she end the pregnancy. Kibodi’s father encouraged her to continue, telling her everything would be fine through their faith. The family moved forward with the pregnancy, and Kibodi was born as planned.
Kibodi attended Christian Life Academy in Baton Rouge. He joined the football team mid-season as a freshman after stepping away from the school band. As a junior, he rushed 76 times for 842 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 18 receptions for 324 yards and five scores. In his senior season, he ran for 1,208 yards and 12 touchdowns and earned all-region honors. Rated as a three-star recruit, he committed to play college football at Texas A&M.
Path to American Football
Coming out of Christian Life Academy, Kibodi was regarded as a three-star recruit. His combination of size, vision, and receiving ability out of the back field drew attention from college programs across the South. He chose Texas A&M as his first collegiate destination.
At Texas A&M, Kibodi appeared in five games as a freshman in 2017 and recorded 121 rushing yards and a touchdown. He played two games in 2018 and added 26 rushing yards. In 2019, he started two games and finished with 31 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown, along with six receptions. After the season, he transferred to Incarnate Word for the 2020 season, but the year was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and he did not play.
In 2021, Kibodi transferred to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns as a walk-on. He did not see game action that year, then appeared in nine games in 2022, ranking fifth on the team with 37 rushes for 169 yards. As a senior in 2023, he carried the ball 129 times for 729 yards and seven touchdowns and added nine receptions for 79 yards, finishing his college career with 211 rushes for 1,168 yards and nine touchdowns.
Jacob Kibodi Career
Early Career (2017-2023)
Kibodi’s college career began at Texas A&M in 2017. Over three seasons with the Aggies, he contributed as a rotational back and on special teams while continuing to develop his body and skill set. His most productive season at Texas A&M came in 2019, when he started two games and totaled 31 rushes for 123 yards and a touchdown.
His final two college seasons came at Louisiana. After a year as a walk-on without playing time, Kibodi earned a steady role. He peaked in 2023, rushing for 729 yards and seven touchdowns while also contributing in the passing game. His college production drew interest from NFL teams entering the 2024 draft cycle.
New Orleans Saints Era (2024)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Kibodi signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. He joined a backfield mix that aimed to add depth and competition through training camp. The Saints waived him on August 27, then re-signed him to the practice squad shortly afterward.
Kibodi remained on the Saints practice squad into the early portion of the regular season. He was released by New Orleans on December 3, 2024. His stint with the Saints offered his first experience inside an NFL program, even though he did not appear in a regular-season game.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024)
On December 18, 2024, the Cleveland Browns signed Kibodi to their practice squad. The move came just over two weeks after his release from the New Orleans Saints. Joining the Browns gave him another opportunity to develop within an NFL environment late in the season.
His time with Cleveland provided a brief but meaningful chapter in his professional career. Like his stint in New Orleans, it was limited to practice squad work as he continued to refine his game at the highest level of American football.
Memphis Showboats Era (2025)
On January 27, 2025, Kibodi signed with the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League. The signing marked his return to a competitive roster after his NFL practice squad stints. The Showboats offered a fresh start in the spring league.
His time with Memphis was short. The Showboats released him on April 28, 2025, ending his first stretch in the UFL. Even with the quick turnaround, the experience added professional game reps to his resume as he continued his career path.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kibodi stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs around 225 pounds, giving him the frame of a between-the-tackles power back with the build to handle a heavy workload. Throughout his college career he showed the ability to contribute as a receiver, catching 19 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown across his college stops. His track record of durability and toughness traces back to his early life story and carries into how he plays on the field.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kibodi’s most notable early milestone was his 1,208-yard senior season at Christian Life Academy, which helped him earn a three-star rating and a commitment to Texas A&M. His 2023 college season at Louisiana, in which he rushed for 729 yards and seven touchdowns, set the stage for his professional opportunity. Signing with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent and later joining the Memphis Showboats of the UFL marked his first professional contracts.
Jacob Kibodi Career Wins
Public records do not confirm a specific count of career rushing or receiving touchdowns for Kibodi at the professional level. His most reliable win totals come from his college career, where he recorded nine rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown across his stops at Texas A&M, Incarnate Word, and Louisiana. Team-level championship wins are not documented in available sources.
College Career Highlights
Across his college career, Kibodi posted 211 rushes for 1,168 yards and nine rushing touchdowns, along with 19 receptions for 132 yards and one receiving touchdown. His strongest statistical season came in 2023 at Louisiana, when he ran for 729 yards and seven scores. His first college touchdown came as a freshman at Texas A&M in 2017.
Other Performances
Kibodi was named an all-region selection as a senior at Christian Life Academy after his 1,208-yard season. He also earned three-star recruit status coming out of high school. Those recognitions stand as his most clearly documented honors outside of his statistical production.
Jacob Kibodi Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kibodi comes from a close family rooted in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is one of three children raised in the same city. His father played a key role in the family’s decision to continue the pregnancy after medical concerns were raised before Kibodi’s birth. Faith has been a central part of the family’s story.
Personal Life
Public sources do not confirm details about Jacob Kibodi’s spouse, children, or current residence. Available verified information about his personal life centers on his upbringing in Baton Rouge and the role his parents played in his early life.
2025 Season Performance
In the 2025 offseason, Kibodi signed with the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League on January 27. The move gave him a chance to compete for snaps in a spring league that draws former college and NFL players. He worked to earn a role in the Showboats backfield.
The Showboats released Kibodi on April 28, 2025, ending his tenure with the team after just over three months. The brief stint limited his opportunity to compile extensive statistical output in the UFL. He exited Memphis with a short sample of professional spring league work on his resume.
As 2025 continues, Kibodi remains a free agent seeking his next professional opportunity. His combination of college production at Louisiana, NFL practice squad experience with the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns, and UFL time with the Memphis Showboats positions him as a candidate for future roster openings. His next move will determine whether he returns to the NFL, joins another spring league team, or explores options outside of traditional American football rosters.