Kaelon Black

NFL Draft Profile: Kaelon Black

Position: Running Back | School: Indiana (via James Madison) | Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 5'10" | Weight: 211 lbs | Archetype: 3-Down Back / Elusive

College Career Summary

Kaelon Black’s journey to the NFL is defined by perseverance and physical dominance. After a productive stint at James Madison, where he helped the Dukes transition to the FBS level, Black followed coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana. While he spent 2024 adjusting and navigating minor injuries, his 2025 campaign was a masterclass in rotational efficiency.

Black served as the primary lightning to Roman Hemby’s thunder, recording nearly 800 rushing yards and proving to be a "Freak List" athlete. His ability to hit the hole with violent acceleration and his massive weight-room strength made him a cornerstone of Indiana's historic perfect regular season. Despite sharing the backfield, Black’s film shows a back with

the power of a 225-pounder and the agility of a sub-200-pound scatback.

2025 Regular Season Stats

• Rushing: 142 attempts, 799 Yds, 7 TD (5.6 avg)

• Receiving: 3 receptions, 25 Yds, 0 TD

• Total Scrimmage Yards: 824 Yards

• Career High (at IU): 110 yards vs. Maryland (Nov 1st)

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rush/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs Old Dominion	17/92/1	B+	Heavy workload; showed elite vision against his former regional rival.
2	vs Kennesaw St	10/57/0	B	Solid rotational work; helped milk the clock late.
3	vs Indiana St	7/68/0	A-	Explosive. Averaged 9.7 YPC in limited action.
4	vs Illinois	10/89/1	A	Broke a 40-yard TD; showcased "Freak" level acceleration.
5	@ Iowa	11/38/0	C+	Toughest game of the year; found little room against a stout front.
7	@ Oregon	7/31/0	B-	Physical in pass protection; handled a hostile environment well.
8	vs Michigan St	10/64/1	B+	Scored a 21-yard TD; showcased elite contact balance.
9	vs UCLA	10/70/0	A-	7.0 YPC; consistent chain-mover throughout the second half.
10	@ Maryland	14/110/1	A+	Season Peak. First 100-yard game as a Hoosier; pure dominance.
11	@ Penn State	12/32/1	B	Hard-earned short-yardage TD; reliable in high-pressure snaps.
12	vs Wisconsin	6/12/0	C	Limited by game script and tight defensive focus.
13	@ Purdue	12/67/2	A+	Closer. Two TDs and a signature spin move to seal the Bucket.
CC	vs Ohio State	9/69/0	A-	Efficient on the biggest stage; proved he belongs in the elite tier.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Leadership: A quiet, veteran presence; respected for his "day-by-day" work ethic.

• Mental Toughness: Successfully navigated being pushed down the depth chart in 2024 to become a 2025 star.

• Competitor: Plays with a chip on his shoulder; finishes runs with extreme violence.

• Star Power: While sharing the backfield, he was often the catalyst for Indiana's big-play bursts.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 97/100

• Height/Weight: 5'10", 211 lbs. (Hits Height target; just shy of 215 lbs but carries massive muscle).

• Stamina: Elite. Named to Feldman’s "Freaks List" for a reason; high recovery rate.

• Durability: Proved he can stay healthy for a full 13-game Power-4 schedule in 2025.

• Injury History: Redshirted in 2021 (knee) and missed time in 2022 (finger); 2025 tape showed zero lingering issues.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 91/100

• Ball Security: Excellent. Zero lost fumbles on 142 attempts in 2025.

• Vision: Above average; excellent at sensing the "second-level" flow of the defense.

• Contact Balance: Elite. Proved extremely difficult to bring down with the first hit.

• Catching: Consistent; limited targets in 2025 (3 rec) but was a 25-catch threat at JMU.

• Pass Block: High effort; 235-lb bench press translates to a solid anchor against blitzers.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 96/100

• Speed: Elite. Clocked 40-inch vertical and sub-4.5 speed; translates to home-run ability.

• Agility: Exceptional. His spin move against Purdue became a viral draft-cycle highlight.

• Change of Direction: Explosive. Plants and goes with zero wasted movement.

• Acceleration: Top-tier. Reaches top speed instantly upon hitting the hole.

• Break Tackle: Prowess. Uses raw strength (415-lb bench) to shed defenders.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 93/100

• Awareness: High. Understands leverage and blocking schemes at a professional level.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: "Freak" level weight-room strength; elite acceleration and contact balance; zero-fumble reliability; veteran leadership and high football IQ; explosive playmaking in space.

• Weaknesses: Limited production in the 2025 passing game (scheme-based); older prospect (Redshirt Senior); slightly under the preferred 215-lb bell-cow weight.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal for a Spread or Zone-blocking system that prizes explosive change-of-pace backs (e.g., Eagles, Dolphins, Texans).

• NFL Comparison: Isiah Pacheco / Jaylen Warren.

Scout's Final Word

"Kaelon Black is a weight-room warrior whose strength translates directly to the gridiron. He doesn't just run; he explodes. While he was part of a committee at Indiana, his efficiency and 'Freak' athleticism suggest he can be a high-impact contributor at the next level. In a league moving toward specialized committees, Black’s ability to break a game open with one touch is invaluable. Projected: Round 4–5."