logo
Kalel Mullings selected by Tennessee Titans in sixth round of 2025 NFL draft

Kalel Mullings selected by Tennessee Titans in sixth round of 2025 NFL draft

USA Today26-04-2025

Kalel Mullings selected by Tennessee Titans in sixth round of 2025 NFL draft
When Kalel Mullings committed to Michigan football, he was supposed to be the next great Wolverines linebacker. However, it didn't exactly work out that way for him.
Mullings spent his first few years working on the defensive side of the ball for the maize and blue before playing dual duty in 2022 -- splitting time between linebacker and running back. When Blake Corum's season was ended due to injury, Mullings went over to offense full-time, playing running back.
It didn't start off well. Despite throwing a no-look pass to tight end Luke Schoonmaker against Ohio State that year, Mullings had a big miscommunication on the goal line with quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the College Football Playoff, and he coughed up the ball. At the time, Michigan fans wanted him to go back on defense.
However, they're glad he didn't. In 2023 and 2024, Mullings shined in his running back role. Expected to be a backup this past year, he wrested away the starting job from Donovan Edwards. And now, like his predecessor Hassan Haskins, he's been drafted by the Tennessee Titans, who picked him in the sixth round with the 188th overall pick.
Mullings led the Wolverines with 185 carries for 948 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024, adding to the 36 carries and 222 yards the year before. Mullings had three rushing touchdowns in his limited time in 2022.
With his selection, Michigan football has had six players selected thus far, with Mason Graham going at No. 5 overall, Colston Loveland at No. 10, Kenneth Grant at No. 13, Will Johnson at No. 47, and now Mullings at No. 188.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

SMU Football Preview 2025: The Mustangs Are Built To Do It Again
SMU Football Preview 2025: The Mustangs Are Built To Do It Again

Miami Herald

time2 hours ago

  • Miami Herald

SMU Football Preview 2025: The Mustangs Are Built To Do It Again

Well that last season, SMU hadn't won a regular season game against a Power Five-now-Power-Four program against anyone by TCU since an all-time bet-on-yourself move, SMU became a part of the ACC, but without taking a dime of TV revenue until 2032. It was looking to raise the school's profile with a long-term plan, and it helped get the alumni fired up and ready to write and Cal were the higher-profile gets for the ACC, SMU was expected to be a nice scrimmage for the established programs, and then ... probably didn't belong in the expanded College Football Playoff - technically, a case could've been made for BYU instead with an 18-15 win over the Mustangs in Dallas - but let's start with this. If last year at this exact time, you were told SMU would be in the CFP discussion ... X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFN2025 SMU PreviewSMU Offense BreakdownSMU Defense BreakdownSeason Prediction, Win Total, Keys to SeasonSMU almost pulled off a thriller of a comeback in a 34-31 loss to Clemson in the ACC Championship, and it got its shot. In the ten years of the College Football Playoff, no two-loss Power Five/Four program would've been left out of an expanded 12-team model - it had to be done. SMU had to be what that the Mustangs were outplayed and outclassed in a blowout loss at Penn State. They made it. Everything the school could've dreamed of came true. SMU made the (bleep)ing College Football Playoff. Texas A&M hasn't done that. Neither has Baylor, Texas Tech, or Houston. Take it outside of the football-mad state - Wisconsin, Florida, Ole Miss, Auburn, Missouri, USC, Utah, and Iowa have yet to make the last year, Penn State and Tennessee hadn't been in, it wasn't a fluke. Okay, so the ACC was fourth among the Power Four conferences by about a gajillion miles. SMU hung up 66 on TCU, walloped Florida State 42-16, took out a good Louisville squad, and in all, beat six teams that went bowling, and again, almost took out Clemson. All head coach Rhett Lashlee has done is go 22-6 over the last two seasons and 29-12 since taking the job in recruiting class was terrific, the staff kept around everyone important, crushed the transfer portal for key positions, the depth is better, and the starting 22 will be more talented than last year's schedule is tougher - Florida State will likely rebound, Miami is on the slate this time around, and good luck with those road trips to TCU and Clemson - and the team will be the hunted, but after last year, you're insane to think SMU can't do it all again. SMU Offense BreakdownSMU Defense BreakdownSeason Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

Patriots coach: Maye's leadership skills at quarterback ‘a work in progress'
Patriots coach: Maye's leadership skills at quarterback ‘a work in progress'

Miami Herald

time2 hours ago

  • Miami Herald

Patriots coach: Maye's leadership skills at quarterback ‘a work in progress'

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye proved his football skills during a solid 12-start rookie campaign. Heading into 2025, head coach Mike Vrabel wants to see his young signal-caller improve his leadership skills. 'I think that there is a lot of room to grow,' Vrabel said Monday, noting that Maye is just 22 and early in his pro development. 'I think there's a lot of natural leadership qualities. I think I have to encourage him, continue to encourage him and to put him in those positions to do that so that the players understand that there's a different version of all of us,' Vrabel said. 'There's one that's maybe off the field, there's one in the meeting room, and then there's a version on the field, which we all have to understand is somewhat different than what it may be off the field.' Vrabel, entering his first season as the head coach in New England, said leadership isn't the exclusive property of a quarterback. Vrabel should know, having been a leader of the Patriots' defense as a linebacker during the 2000s before coaching the Tennessee Titans from 2018-23. 'I don't think it matters if you're a quarterback, offensive lineman, running back or defensive back. It's about your ability to reach certain players,' Vrabel said. 'Again, we don't want to have any gaps. Hopefully, you know what to do, you're prepared, you do things the right way, you're a good listener. 'I think you can adapt to what happens and adapt to the people you're talking to maybe based on what they need. Sometimes people need a little different encouraging, and sometimes you need a little bit of a firmer hand and maybe a little bit of a firmer stance. I think that's all important of understanding and getting to know each person before you can start to lead them.' Vrabel was asked whether Maye has been able to push his teammates without pushing their buttons or worrying about how his leadership style might affect his popularity. 'I think that's evolving and that's a work in progress,' he said. 'I think we're all learning each other a little bit. I think we're all learning the system and learning the plays, and once we master it, I think that's going to start to separate itself.' Maye made the Pro Bowl and went 3-9 as a starter last year after being drafted No. 3 overall. He passed for 2,276 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Maye said he understands the expectations Vrabel and the other coaches have for him in Year 2. 'It's an opportunity for me to take a jump,' he said. 'I think from last year being a rookie, trying to come in here and earn my stripes, earn my keep through hard work. I think this year is the same approach. You got new guys in here, new staff, got to keep on getting to know everybody, show my work ethic. From there, as the season comes around, try to take the next step in leadership and leading the offense and hopefully leading this football team.' As far as finding his voice and perhaps getting after players who may not be pulling their weight, Maye said it won't be a problem. 'Growing up with three older brothers and (being) around older people my whole life, I've kind of been comfortable, once I got acclimated, which I feel like I definitely am now, to kind of step into that zone,' he said. 'Hey, especially offensively, if somebody's not doing their job -- and it starts with me, I've got to do mine first -- but if somebody's not doing their job and repeating mistakes, I think there's got to be a consequence. I think at some point it hurts the football team, and I think it hurts everybody in that building.' Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved

Defending champion Stallions' abrupt exit tops storylines from UFL playoffs
Defending champion Stallions' abrupt exit tops storylines from UFL playoffs

Fox Sports

time4 hours ago

  • Fox Sports

Defending champion Stallions' abrupt exit tops storylines from UFL playoffs

All good things must inevitably come to an end, and that's never been truer for the Birmingham Stallions. After three consecutive spring football championships, Skip Holtz's squad is out of the running for the 2025 UFL title after falling 44-29 to the Michigan Panthers in the USFL Conference Championship Game at Protective Stadium on Sunday. "It's hard to lose, but it's with great respect that I say congratulations to Michigan," Holtz said. "It's with great pride that I say that I have really enjoyed coaching this football team and [watching] what this football team has been able to accomplish." Sunday's win marked the first time in eight meetings that Panthers head coach Mike Nolan earned a win in a head-to-head matchup with Holtz. Even though his team got the win, Nolan said things are far from finished. "There's still work to be done," he said. "Our football team knows that. We're excited to have another week to play." The Panthers will face the DC Defenders — who dominated the St. Louis Battlehawks by double digits, 36-18, in the XFL Conference Championship Game at The Dome at America's Center on Sunday — in Saturday's title game. "We just didn't show up when we needed to show up," Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht said about his team's loss after six consecutive wins to finish out the regular season. "DC really put it on us in all phases." Here's a look at other storylines from conference championship weekend: It's Toa Taua time! The Panthers entered Sunday's USFL Conference title game as the second-leading rushing team in the league, averaging 127 rushing yards a contest, and continued to assert their dominance on the ground in a decisive win over the Stallions, totaling 144 rushing yards. Taua was the catalyst, finishing with 85 yards and three touchdown runs. Taua rightly gave credit to the Michigan offensive line, calling it "an example of resiliency," as he routinely broke into the second level of Birmingham's defense without being touched. "When you can just walk into a touchdown untouched, that's nobody but them (the O-line)," he said. "I've just got to not be blind and see it. It was a great day collectively as an offense." In his first action since missing three games due to an ankle injury, QB Bryce Perkins completed 20 of 25 passes for 238 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Perkins also rushed for 34 yards and a score. Most importantly, Michigan finished with no turnovers, while Birmingham coughed up the ball twice — a 25-yard pick-six by Michigan safety Kai Nacua and lost a fumble. Battlehawks have no answer for Jordan Ta'amu & Co. Despite being well-rested and prepared, Becht acknowledged his team was dominated in all facets of the game. The Battlehawks went into last week's contest knowing they had to slow down Defenders QB Ta'amu. However, they were never able to do so. The Ole Miss product went 18-for-26 for 204 yards, highlighted by a 38-yard touchdown to receiver Seth Williams midway through the first quarter to give the Defenders a lead that they would never relinquish. "He really came out and executed on all cylinders," Becht said about Ta'amu. "He's a veteran in this league. He's still young. Just a hell of a performance by him." Ta'amu's only blemish was a pick-six in the first half — his first interception in 128 passing attempts. The Defenders were equally effective at moving the ball on the ground, as standout running back Deon Jackson rushed for 116 yards and two scores on 21 carries. The Defenders finished with 388 yards of total offense, scored on seven of 10 possessions and went 7-for-11 (63.6%) on third down. Holtz benches J'Mar Smith in favor of Matt Corral The Stallions never found any real consistency at the most important position on the field this season, which is one of the biggest reasons they'll be watching the championship game from their couch for the first time in four years. Holtz used five different players at quarterback and none started more than three games. Although Smith had played well entering the USFL title game, Holtz replaced the Louisiana Tech product after he threw a pick-six that put Birmingham down 20-6 late in the second quarter. "[After the interception], I just said, 'You know what? We need a boost. We need a spark,'" Holtz said. "I put Matt in, and I thought he did a good job of getting us back in the football game." Corral had not played since mid-April due to an abdominal injury. He went 12-for-25 for 147 yards and two scores, but he also threw an interception and lost a fumble. Smith went 4-for-10 passes for 102 yards, one touchdown and an interception before he was replaced. Deon Cain led the Stallions with six receptions for 124 yards. Birmingham finished with just 61 yards on the ground. Defenders overcome adversity under Shannon Harris' leadership With head coach Reggie Barlow and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams leaving at the start of the season, interim head coach Shannon Harris did a masterful job of leading his squad to the title game for the first time in team history. The Defenders' offense rolled to 36 points against the top-ranked defense in the league on the road in a hostile environment at St. Louis. Greg Williams' son Blake Williams, serving as the defensive coordinator for the Defenders, held St. Louis to 240 yards and a 22.2% conversion rate on third down. The Defenders also finished with five sacks. "It came down to us, we and ours — and that has been our motto the entire season," Harris said. "We're going to do this together. It's not a one-man show on any of this stuff. As a head coach, you get praise for it and you get a record put on you, but at the end of the day, it's us. We and ours." These two teams will meet for the second time this season. The Panthers easily handled the Defenders in Week 6 of the regular season at Ford Field, 38-16. In that game, the Panthers rolled up 233 yards on the ground, including 99 yards from Taua and 90 from Perkins. Ta'amu went 19-for-36 passing for 259 yards and two touchdowns. Finishing with nine receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown, Chris Rowland was Ta'amu's favorite target. If the Defenders want a shot at winning this one, however, they must do a better job of stopping the run. Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience United Football League recommended Get more from United Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store