Kalel Mullings

Kalel Mullings's Biography

Kalel Mullings, born October 4, 2002, is a distinguished American football running back renowned for his significant contributions to the Michigan Wolverines. Equipped with an impressive record, he claims three consecutive Big Ten Conference titles under his belt, as well as a national championship in 2023.

Based originally in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, Mullings demonstrated an early passion for the sport which became evident during his time at Milton Academy. His junior season showcases a promising start, as he carried the ball for 371 yards and scored an astounding 22 touchdowns. Furthermore, proving his versatile skill set, he showcased his aptitude for catching by logging 289 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver.

As he advanced into his senior year, Mullings continued to raise the benchmark, boasting continuous improvement. He rushed for an impressive 509 yards, securing 12 touchdowns. His receiving prowess remained undisputed as he made 33 receptions for 358 yards, translating into five touchdowns. Demonstrating his complete skill suite, Mullings returned a punt for an additional touchdown, while also showcasing his defensive skills by making 51 tackles, four sacks, and three interceptions. Acknowledging his standout performance during the season, Mullings was conferred with a revered title as the 2019 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year.

Having made a massive impression at high school level, he was rated as a four-star recruit, along with being ranked as the 92nd highest high school player at a national level in 2020. Mullings’ phenomenal performance acted as a catalyst in securing his future in football as he committed to play for the prestigious University of Michigan, pipping other reputable institutions like Clemson, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Stanford.

Upon his enrolment at the University of Michigan in 2020, Mullings consistently featured in every one of the six games on the special teams, registering a tackle as well. The subsequent year, he played in 13 games within the capacity of special teams and linebacker, managing to make 11 tackles.

The year 2022 brought with it a major turning point in Mullings’ career as he switched positions from linebacker to running back, prompted largely by injuries faced by fellow players Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. He rapidly adapted to this new responsibility and shone in his debut match filling the interim gap. In a crucial match against Ohio State, Mullings sealed a significant third-down pass to Luke Schoonmaker, helping Michigan take a two-score lead to conquer the Buckeyes.

In the Big Ten Championship game, Mullings added a new milestone to his career by securing his first two career touchdowns, aiding in Michigan’s triumph over Purdue. However, in the Fiesta Bowl while he rushed for a 1-yard touchdown, he suffered a fumble at the goal line, which proved costly and was recovered by TCU.

The year 2023 saw Mullings’ full-fledged season as a running back, where he commanded the third-most carries on Michigan’s national championship team. Securing 36 carries for 222 yards and a touchdown, and making two catches for 32 yards he made a notable impact in the Rose Bowl victory against Alabama.

In 2024, Mullings returned for fifth season and was appointed as an alternate team captain. In the opening game against Fresno State, he led the team in rushing with a career-high 15 carries for 92 yards. In the third week against Arkansas State, he surpassed his previous career-best accumulating 153 yards across 15 rushes and scoring two touchdowns, maintaining his continued growth trajectory.