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From college linebacker to NFL running back: Kalel Mullings gets drafted by Tennessee Titans

The Titans took Mullings in the 6th round

Published

2 months ago

April 26, 2025

Michigan running back Kalel Mullings poses with a Tennessee Titans hat. Credit: Instagram - @umichfootball and @kalelmullings

Kalel Mullings began his career at Michigan as a linebacker, but a conversion to running back in 2022 led him to become a sixth round pick (No. 188 overall) in the NFL Draft Saturday. The Tennessee Titans are getting a 6-foot-2, 233 pound bruiser that received third-team All Big-Ten honors last season.

Mullings was forced to miss drills at the NFL Combine and Michigan’s pro day due to injury precaution, but it wasn’t enough for him to go undrafted.

Michigan running back Kalel Mullings drafted by Tennessee Titans

In his only season as a starter last year, Mullings ran for 948 yards on 185 carries (5.1 ypc) and 12 touchdowns. He ran with immense toughness, and he was a key piece of the Wolverines’ late season resurgence.

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The Titans are likely bringing in Mullings to complement the quickness of current running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. Mullings didn’t have to handle much receiving responsibility as a Wolverine, and it should be the same in Tennessee. As a rookie, Mullings’ touches will mostly come inside the redzone and at the goal line.

Mullings is the third Michigan running back to be drafted since 2022, along with Hassan Haskins (Titans, 2022) and Blake Corum (Los Angeles Rams, 2024). After being waived by the Titans just before the 2024 season, Haskins was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Chargers and his college head coach Jim Harbaugh.

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Mullings is the sixth Wolverine off the board, joining Mason Graham (No. 5 overall, Cleveland Browns), Colston Loveland (No. 10 overall, Chicago Bears), Kenneth Grant (No. 13 overall), Will Johnson (No. 47 overall, Arizona Cardinals) and Josaiah Stewart (No. 90 overall, Rams).

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