NFL Draft
4/15/25
5 min read
Kalel Mullings 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Michigan Wolverines RB
Height: 6014 (verified)
Weight: 226lbs (verified)
Year: Redshirt Senior
Pro Comparison: Jonathan Williams
Scouting Overview
Michigan Wolverines running back Kalel Mullings is a true football player at his core. A former linebacker, Mullings converted to running back midway through his college career to help the Wolverines and found himself a home as a productive member of a running back stable.
He should be granted the same opportunities as a pro — particularly as a between-the-tackles runner for downhill power running offenses looking to punish tacklers and defenders with a smashmouth style. Mullings is as well equipped as any running back in the class to earn a special teams role as well, thanks in large part to his experience playing on defense.
2025 NFL Combine Results
| Position | Name | School | 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Split | Broad Jump | Vertical Jump | 3-Cone Drill | 20-Yard Shuttle | Bench Press |
| RB | Kalel Mullings | Michigan | 124 |
Positives
- Heavyweight frame and aggressive running style make for headaches trying to wrangle him
- Highly regarded locker room leader with proof of selflessness to aid the team amid position switch
- Boasts better than expected pass protection polish to go with an excellent frame for protection
Negatives
- Still learning the feel and flow of some run designs and better suited to hit a designated gap
- Lacks the explosiveness and wiggle to be a home run hitter on the second level
- Has not really expanded his offensive role into serving as a pass catcher
Background
Mullings is from Boston, MA, and played high school football for Milton Academy. There, he was a two-way talent who starred as a linebacker and running back — although Mullings also logged some opportunities returning punts. He was named Massachusetts’ 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year and was ranked as a standout 4-star recruit.
Mullings garnered interest from programs such as Ohio State, Clemson, and Notre Dame, as well as Michigan, where he eventually enrolled in the school’s 2020 recruiting class.
Mullings committed to the defensive side of football when he enrolled at Michigan. He played in six games during the 2020 season and 13 games as a special teamer and depth linebacker during the 2021 campaign. During Mullings’ 2022 redshirt sophomore season, he flipped back to running back midseason due to injuries in the running back room. He remained there for the rest of his career, serving as a rotational back with names such as Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards.
Upon completion of his final season of eligibility, Mullings accepted an invitation to the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Tale Of The Tape
Mullings is a vertical, downhill runner who is at his best when executing under-center runs that allow him to press a gap and carry momentum into the hole. Michigan gave him no shortage of opportunities to hammer the ball between the tackles, and much of his scoring production came in the low red zone when he could bully tacklers who were trying to fit him up in the hole.
There’s a lack of explosiveness that will likely make him a role-specific piece of a running back stable. Mullings doesn’t show the ideal burst and speed to stretch the point of attack as an outside runner and lacks the bounce of his initial cut to really slash into a crease and make defenders pay for over-pursuing or backside cutoffs.
Teams that run gap schemes and work 21-personnel heavy will find Mullings an attractive rotational option while he continues to develop his feel of vision to potentially diversify his role.
Mullings is a brute at first contact who will put defenders back on their heels. He’s powerful but does have a big surface area to provide to defenders — when he’s bottled up, he may struggle with path redirections. Defenses that can stack and collapse his blockers at the point of attack may create headaches for Mullings to stay on schedule and avoid minus runs.
The specificity of his running style is likely prohibitive from a full-time role, but there is a passing-down profile to build upon despite Mullings’ lack of receiving game upside. He’s dense and a powerful striker in pass protection to deter free runners.
The consistency of his technique can add polish as a result of his late transition back to the offensive backfield, but the linebacker in hip pops when it’s time for collisions and maintaining the pocket.
Ideal Scheme Fit, Role
Mullings projects as a developmental running back at the NFL level. His past experiences on defense have him well-positioned to find a special teams role for his future team, but Mullings should also be given a chance to earn carries in a gap-heavy run scheme.
Grade: 69.00/100.00, Sixth Round Value
Big Board Rank: 236
Position Rank: RB24
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