Kalil Pimpleton

BIOGRAPHY

Kalil Pimpleton is an American professional footballer born on December 9, 1998. Currently, he operates as a wide receiver for the Ottawa Redblacks, a professional football team competing in the Canadian Football League (CFL). However, Pimpleton’s path to professional football has been marked by a series of shifts and accomplishments that solidified his position in the sport, spanning from his high school career to the CFL.

As a high school football player, Pimpleton demonstrated his talent and garnered the attention of recruiters, leading to his signing with Virginia Tech upon graduation. Pimpleton’s tenure at Virginia Tech was brief, participating in just four games in the 2017 season. Despite this limited exposure, his potential was undeniable, leading him to transfer to Central Michigan to continue his collegiate football journey.

Pimpleton’s time at Central Michigan from 2019 to 2021 was a period of immense growth and achievement for the young athlete. Here, Pimpleton left a lasting impression on the field, earning accolades for his exceptional performance. In 2021, his contributions to the game were recognized with the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year honor in acknowledgment of his phenomenal kick returning skills. Additionally, Pimpleton was named the first team All-MAC wide receiver, further spotlighting his talents.

However, despite his college football success, Pimpleton was not selected in the 2022 NFL draft. Undeterred by this, Pimpleton remained resolute in pursuing a professional football career. His persistence paid off on April 30, 2022, when the Detroit Lions took notice of his potential and signed him to their roster. Notwithstanding, the agreement with the Lions was short-lived, with Pimpleton being waived from the team on August 29 of the same year.

Pimpleton’s affiliation with the NFL continued, however, albeit in a different capacity. On September 1, 2022, he joined the New York Giants as a member of their practice squad. His performance during this period led to a reserve/future contract with the Giants, which he signed on January 22, 2023. Nevertheless, in a turn of events reminiscent of his time with the Lions, Pimpleton was waived on August 29, 2023.

Unprecedented in his tenacity, Pimpleton soon found a new professional football home north of the border with the Ottawa Redblacks. Signing on January 23, 2024, Pimpleton embarked on what would be his latest football adventure. After an initial period on the injured list following the 2024 training camp, Pimpleton made his CFL debut in week 6 on July 14, 2024, competing against the Edmonton Elks. His performance in this game was monumental, scoring his first career touchdown on a 70-yard catch thrown by Dru Brown and logging a remarkable 100-yard game.

Kalil Pimpleton’s journey to professional football has been anything but ordinary. From his undrafted status in 2022 to a series of waivers from NFL teams, he has endured and showcased resilience. Now, as a wide receiver for the Ottawa Redblacks, Pimpleton continues to leave an indelible mark on the game, pushing the boundaries of his potential with every play.