Khalil Herbert Bio
Khalil Herbert is an American professional football running back and return specialist for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kansas Jayhawks and Virginia Tech Hokies before being selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft. With a notable college career and immediate impacts on his teams, Herbert has established himself in the league, showcasing his abilities as both a running back and a return specialist.
Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing around 212 pounds, Herbert has carved out a role as a compact, physical back with home-run speed and dependable hands in the passing game. Across his NFL journey he has also spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks, giving him experience in multiple offensive systems.
Early Life and Background
Khalil Herbert was born on April 21, 1998, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the United States. He grew up in the South Florida area and attended American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, where he developed into a promising running back prospect. His family background includes roots in Jamaica and the British Virgin Islands, a heritage he has carried with him throughout his athletic career.
At American Heritage, Herbert emerged as a multi-purpose back capable of handling carries and returning kicks, traits that would later define his professional profile. His high school production drew attention from college recruiters, and he ultimately committed to the University of Kansas to play NCAA Division I football.
The transition from South Florida football to the Big 12 Conference required adjustment, but Herbert brought a strong work ethic shaped by his upbringing and family. He has often credited his early environment for instilling the discipline required to succeed at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Herbert arrived at the University of Kansas in 2016, where he immediately contributed as a true freshman. He played in eight games with three starts and rushed for 189 yards on 44 carries with three touchdowns, giving the Jayhawks a glimpse of his talent. The following year he became a more central figure, starting six of 11 games and rushing for 663 yards on 120 carries and four touchdowns in 2017, including a standout 291-yard, two-touchdown performance against West Virginia.
As a junior in 2018, Herbert continued to be a steady contributor, rushing 113 times for 499 yards and five touchdowns across 12 games. Limited opportunities during the 2019 season led him to reassess his path, and he finished that year with 384 yards on 43 carries and two touchdowns before deciding to transfer.
Herbert joined Virginia Tech as a graduate transfer in 2020 and immediately took over as the Hokies’ starting running back. He produced 1,183 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns on 155 carries, adding ten receptions for 179 yards and one receiving touchdown in 11 games. He also averaged 26.9 yards per kickoff return to lead the ACC, and his 358 all-purpose yards against Duke set a Virginia Tech single-game record. His 2020 campaign earned him Second-team All-ACC honors.
Khalil Herbert Career
Early Career (2021)
Herbert was selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round, 217th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on June 2, 2021, and began the season as the Bears’ kick returner and third-string running back. He earned increased snaps after an injury to starter David Montgomery and delivered 75 rushing yards on 18 carries in a Week 5 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
With Damien Williams placed on the COVID-19 reserve list ahead of Week 6, Herbert was elevated to the starting role and responded with 97 rushing yards and one touchdown on 19 carries against the Green Bay Packers. He finished his rookie season with 433 rushing yards on 103 carries and two touchdowns, establishing himself as a dependable change-of-pace back.
Chicago Bears Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Herbert entered 2022 as the Bears’ second-string running back behind Montgomery, but he seized an expanded role in Week 3 against the Houston Texans. After Montgomery exited with an injury, Herbert rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries in a 23–20 victory, earning FedEx Ground Player of the Week honors. He finished the season with 731 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, and added 57 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown on nine catches across 13 games.
In 2023, Herbert opened the year as Chicago’s starting running back following Montgomery’s departure to the Detroit Lions. He recorded 103 rushing yards, four catches for 19 yards, and a receiving touchdown in Week 4 before an ankle injury placed him on injured reserve in Week 5. He was activated in November, and in Week 2 of the 2024 season he scored his first touchdown of the year against the Houston Texans.
Journeyman Era (2024–Present)
On November 5, 2024, Herbert was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a seventh-round pick, where he primarily handled kickoff return duties and started the Week 18 finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, rushing for 69 yards on 20 carries. On March 14, 2025, he signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts, though he was released during final roster cuts and shuttled between the practice squad and the active roster before his release on September 8.
Herbert was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad on September 23, 2025, before being signed by the New York Jets off the Seahawks practice squad on October 2, 2025. The move to New York provided him another opportunity to contribute as both a runner and a return specialist.
Driving Style and Strengths
Herbert is known for his compact frame, decisive burst through the line of scrimmage, and reliable hands as a pass catcher out of the backfield. His background as a kick returner translates to open-field vision, and his experience in zone and gap schemes has made him versatile across different offensive systems.
Notable Events and Milestones
Herbert’s 358 all-purpose yards against Duke in 2020 set a Virginia Tech single-game record, and his 157-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Houston Texans in 2022 earned him league-wide weekly recognition. He has also produced multiple 100-yard rushing games as both a starter and a fill-in throughout his NFL career.
Khalil Herbert Career Wins
Herbert has appeared in multiple winning efforts across his NFL stops, including early career games with the Bears where his production helped secure victories over the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans.
NFL Highlights
During his time with the Bears, Herbert contributed to wins with strong rushing performances, including his 75-yard effort against the Raiders and his 157-yard, two-touchdown game against the Texans. With the Cincinnati Bengals, he appeared in a Week 17 victory over the Denver Broncos before starting in Week 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Other Performances
At Virginia Tech, Herbert helped the Hokies post victories over North Carolina State, Duke, Boston College, Louisville, and rival Virginia with 100-yard rushing performances in each of those contests.
Khalil Herbert Family
Family Background and Lineage
Herbert has family roots in Jamaica and the British Virgin Islands, and he grew up in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area before attending American Heritage School in nearby Plantation.
Personal Life
Public details about Herbert’s personal relationships, marital status, or children are not widely confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Herbert’s 2025 season has been defined by movement between practice squads and active rosters. He signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts in March but was released during final cuts, cycled through the Colts practice squad, and let go again in early September.
He briefly landed with the Seattle Seahawks practice squad on September 23, 2025, before being signed by the New York Jets off the Seahawks practice squad on October 2, 2025. The Jets gave him a fresh opportunity to contribute as a runner and return specialist late in the year.
As the 2025 season progresses, Herbert’s experience in multiple offensive schemes and his proven pass-catching and kick-return skills position him as a versatile depth option for New York’s backfield.