Kindle Vildor Explained

Kindle Vildor
Current Team:Detroit Lions
Number:29
Position:Cornerback
Birth Date:11 December 1997
Birth Place:Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:190
College:Georgia Southern (2016–2019)
Draftyear:2020
Draftround:5
Draftpick:163
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
Statleague:NFL
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:108
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:1.0
Statlabel3:Pass deflections
Statvalue3:12
Statlabel4:Interceptions
Statvalue4:1
Statlabel5:Forced fumbles
Statvalue5:1
Statlabel6:Fumble recoveries
Statlabel7:Touchdowns
Pfr:V/VildKi00

Kindle Lee Vildor (born December 11, 1997) is an American football cornerback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia Southern and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft. He has also played for the Tennessee Titans.

Early life

Vildor was born in the DeKalb County, Georgia section of Atlanta and grew up in College Park, Georgia. He attended North Clayton High School.[1] A 2-star cornerback recruit, he committed to Georgia Southern over offers from Troy, Tulane, Western Kentucky, and Wyoming, among others.[2]

College career

Vildor started the final three seasons of his collegiate career.[3] He had 42 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss and also lead the team with 11 passes broken up and four interceptions and was named first-team All-Sun Belt Conference in his junior season.[4] Vildor was named first-team All-Sun Belt for a second straight season and a Pro Football Focus All-American as a senior after recording 27 tackles, two interceptions and six passes broken up.[5] [6]

Professional career

Chicago Bears

Vildor was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 163rd pick in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft.[7] He signed a four-year rookie contract with the team on July 21.[8] Vildor mostly played on special teams during the 2020 season. In the Bears' Week 15 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Vildor made his first NFL start at corner back. In 2020, Vildor played in all 16 games while starting in 1 and had 17 combined tackles and 1 pass defended. In the Bears' Week 11 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Vildor got his first career sack on Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley. Overall in 2021, Vildor played in 17 games starting in 12 of them with 46 combined tackles, a sack, and 4 passes defended.

Vildor entered the 2022 season as a starting cornerback alongside Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. In a Week 5 game against the Minnesota Vikings, he got his first career interception off of Kirk Cousins. He finished the season with 34 tackles, five passes defensed and one interception through 11 games and nine starts. On December 23, 2022, Vildor was placed on season–ending injured reserve with an ankle injury he had suffered in late November.[9]

Vildor was waived on August 29, 2023.[10]

Tennessee Titans

On August 30, 2023, Vildor was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans.[11] He was released on October 14.[12]

Philadelphia Eagles

On October 20, 2023, Vildor was signed to the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles.[13] He was released on November 13.[14]

Detroit Lions

On November 14, 2023, the Detroit Lions signed Vildor to their practice squad.[15] He was signed to the active roster on December 5.[16] In the final game of the Lions season, while nearly intercepting a long pass from San Francisco's Brock Purdy, the ball hit Kindle directly in the facemask of his helmet and deflected upward to be caught by Brandon Aiyuk, eventually leading to a touchdown and continuing an unlikely 49er comeback drive in the NFC Championship loss.[17]

On April 3, 2024, Vildor re-signed with the Lions.[18]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Kindle Vildor won't wear Michael Vick's number, but his dream is within reach. Chris. Vinel. SI.com. March 1, 2020. April 27, 2020.
  2. Web site: Kindle Vildor, 2016 Cornerback - Rivals.com. rivals.com.
  3. New Orleans Saints Draft Gem: CB Kindle Vildor. SI.com. Bob. Rose. April 9, 2020. April 25, 2020.
  4. Web site: Vildor embracing role as leader. Mike. Brown. Statesboro Herald. October 31, 2019. April 27, 2020.
  5. Web site: Kindle Vildor, an All-American, takes center stage on PFF's 2018 All-Sun Belt selections | College Football and NFL Draft. December 4, 2018. Pro Football Focus. April 25, 2020.
  6. Web site: Baxley . McClain . April 25, 2020 . Georgia Southern's Kindle Vildor and Tyler Bass taken in the NFL Draft Saturday . April 27, 2020 . Savannah Morning News.
  7. News: Ellis . Cam . 2020 NFL Draft: What's next for Bears after drafting CB Kindle Vildor? . April 25, 2020 . . April 25, 2020.
  8. News: Mayer. Larry. Bears sign all seven of their 2020 draft picks. Chicago Bears. July 21, 2020. July 21, 2020.
  9. Web site: Alper . Josh . December 23, 2022 . Bears put Jaylon Johnson, Kindle Vildor on IR . February 18, 2024 . NBC Sports . en-US.
  10. News: Roster Moves: Bears reach NFL's 53-man roster limit. August 29, 2023. ChicagoBears.com.
  11. Web site: Titans Claim CB Kindle Vildor Off Waivers While Releasing OL Corey Levin. TennesseeTitans.com. August 30, 2023. August 30, 2023. Wyatt. Jim.
  12. Web site: Titans sign Shyheim Carter, Taylor Stallworth to 53-man roster. Simmons, Myles. Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. October 14, 2023.
  13. Web site: October 20, 2023 . Eagles sign Kindle Vildor to the practice squad . February 17, 2024 . PhiladelphiaEagles.com.
  14. Web site: PhiladelphiaEagles.com. November 13, 2023. Eagles sign Ross Pierschbacher to the practice squad. November 14, 2023.
  15. News: Lions place Halapoulivaati Vaitai on I.R. among Week 11 roster moves. USAToday.com. Jeff. Risdon. November 14, 2023. November 15, 2023.
  16. Web site: Schlitt . Eric . December 5, 2023 . Detroit Lions place Alim McNeill on IR, sign CB Kindle Vildor, in flurry of roster moves . December 6, 2023 . Pride of Detroit.
  17. Web site: Keown . Tim . February 9, 2024 . How Brandon Aiyuk found his spot among 49ers' offensive stars . February 18, 2024 . ESPN.com . en.
  18. Web site: Schlitt . Erik . 2024-04-03 . Report: Detroit Lions re-signing veteran cornerback . 2024-07-01 . Pride Of Detroit . SB Nation . en.