Kalel Mullings, Michigan: 2025 NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Mullings was a four-star linebacker recruit from Milton Academy in Milton, Mass. in the class of 2020
Michigan’s Kalel Mullings is one of the most powerful running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft. The converted linebacker drags would-be tacklers but also offers enough speed to create chunk plays. He projects as a mid to late Day 3 selection.
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Kalel Mullings, RB Michigan: 2025 NFL Draft Profile
Classification: Redshirt senior running back from Boston, Mass.
Background: Mullings was a four-star linebacker recruit from Milton Academy in Milton, Mass. in the class of 2020. He was the No. 153 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 92 for Rivals, and No. 133 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 208th in the nation with an 82 grade out of 100. Mullings lettered five times from 2015-19. As a senior, he served as a team captain and led Milton Academy to the Independent School League (ISL) Championship. He was the 2019 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year for amassing 51 tackles, four sacks, and three interceptions. Mullings also totaled 509 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns to accompany 33 receptions for 358 yards and five touchdowns. Mullings returned a punt for a touchdown as well. His performance earned him a nomination for the 2019 High School Butkus Award, the 2019 Darren Gallup ISL Most Valuable Player award, and invitations to the All-American Game and Polynesian Bowl. Mullings was born on Oct. 4, 2002.
Injuries & Off-Field: High school injury contributed to 247Sports bumping him from a five-star to four-star recruit, missed 2023 Indiana and Michigan State games with a wrist injury, spotted in a walking boot after getting rolled on late vs. Ohio State (2024), ruled out for Senior Bowl practices with a minor injury
Awards: 2024 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (Coaches), 2024 Third Team All-Big Ten (Media)
Pros: Special teams experience on kick return, kick coverage, punt return, and punt coverage units, lots of tread left on his tires, no fumbles in college, converted linebacker who maintained his mass, good patience to let gap develop, no lethargic/plodding movement despite size, enough speed to pick up chunk plays, maximizes long runs with open field vision, gets north-south quickly, contact balance, finishes runs falling forward, takes linebackers for rides, arm tackles slide off him, defenders bounce off his thigh pads, defenders can’t tackle him high, stiff arm, spins through contact, stays up in a pile and keeps moving, pile mover and short-yardage option
Cons: Hip stiffness, lacks the wiggle to make defenders miss in the hole, lacks the lateral explosiveness to hit all cutback lanes, lacks elite speed, lacks the speed and burst to turn the corner, not an angle eraser, caught from behind, not a very creative runner, not twitchy or elusive in open field, rarely involved in passing game, limited route tree, takes some bad angles in pass pro, too passive in pass pro and doesn’t sustain blocks
Overview: Mullings should see the field early in his career on multiple special teams units. The converted linebacker maintained his thick frame and natural power when he switched positions several years into his college career. Despite making the move so late in his playing career, Mullings never fumbled the football on offense. He’s a patient runner who lets his blockers take the lead and establish themselves on gap runs. Mullings presses close to the line and waits for the hole to develop but knows when it’s time to just get downhill and take what’s available. He’s a larger running back but doesn’t suffer from heavy feet or plodding movement. The All-Big Ten honorable mention is far from a speedster but offers enough juice to break chunk plays. His vision helps make the most of long runs by keeping him in open space away from defenders for as long as possible. Mullings’ contact balance and physicality are pillars of his prospect profile. He finishes runs falling forward and drags defensive backs and even some linebackers for extra yardage. Defenders need to commit to tackling Mullings because simple arm or shoulder tackles aren’t enough. Would-be tacklers who dive low and fail to wrap up bounce off Mullings’ thigh pads, and anyone who goes high risks taking a stiff arm to the chin. Mullings churns his legs to drag defenders who go high on his frame, and he spins through contact in space. He’s a pile mover with impressive short-yardage and goal line value. Unfortunately, the Massachusetts native suffers from hip stiffness that limits his shiftiness and ability to make defenders miss in a phone booth. This stiffness contributes to a lack of lateral explosiveness that prevents Mullings from accessing some cutback lanes with jump cuts. He lacks the burst and speed to turn the corner on outside runs and projects as more of a scheme and role-specific player at the NFL level than a true workhorse. Mullings lacks the top speed to erase angles and gets caught from behind by defensive backs and rangy linebackers. He’s not a creative runner because of his lack of twitch and elusiveness. The redshirt senior makes limited contributions in the passing game. He lacks a developed route tree and doesn’t maximize his size in pass protection. Mullings takes poor angles in protection and is too passive, which prevents him from sustaining blocks.
Overall, Mullings is a powerful running back with the play strength and mass to fill a role-specific need in a rotation and contribute on special teams. He’s mentally advanced for a player newer to the position at the collegiate level and still has plenty of tread on his tires. Mullings projects as a late round prospect because of the limitations that come with his build and projected role.
Role & Scheme: Power back in an inside zone or gap scheme
Round Grade: Sixth Round
Size: 6'1 1/2", 226 lbs. (NFL Combine)
Submitted: 03-22-25