Kaelon Black Scouting Report
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Doug McSchooler/AP Photo)
School: Indiana
Class: Redshirt Senior
Position: RB
HT: 5’9
WT: 208 lbs
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Background: Kaelon Black was a low ranking 3-star running back out of Virginia Beach, Virginia in the class of 2020. Black was ranked as a top 200 running back in the class and a top 60 player in the state of Virginia. Black played for Salem High School, where he was the Beach District Offensive Player of the Year and earned first team all-region honors as both a sophomore and a junior. He was also named a first team All-Beach District selection three times. Along with his success in football for Salem, Black also competed in track and basketball. Kaelon Black committed to play for James Madison out of high school over Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.
College: He redshirted as a true freshman for James Madison and started the first 3 games of 2021 before sustaining a season-ending injury. Black played in 9 games in 2022, rushing for 333 yards and 3 touchdowns. Kaelon started in 12 games for James Madison in 2023, rushing for 637 yards and a touchdown. Kaelon chose to follow his head coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana ahead of the 2024 season. He did not make a huge impact as a depth running back in that first season as a Hoosier, but he broke out in 2025. He ran for 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns as he helped Indiana win the national championship.
Strengths: Kaelon Black is a patient runner. He lets blocks develop in front of him before hitting the hole with full acceleration. He uses tempo behind and at the line of scrimmage to his advantage, not forcing the issue with any suspect rushing lanes. Black does a good job of getting low and skinny to go undetected through even the tightest of gaps. His lateral quickness allows him to make decisions on the fly and attack lanes as they open up with smooth cutbacks. Black’s dense frame shows up in pass protection, where he does well to absorb contact off the edge.
Weaknesses: While Black is quite the dynamic runner, he leaves much to be desired as a pass catcher. Black is not the most dynamic athlete and relies mainly on instincts and power to churn out tough yardage. His lack of ideal size may project him as a situational running back in the NFL instead of a feature back.
Conclusion: Kaelon Black offers guaranteed yardage as a powerful runner between the tackles with the patience to exploit rushing lanes effectively. He does not offer any pass catching upside, which limits his ability to be an every-down back in the NFL.
Best Team Fits: BUF, HOU, NYJ
Player Comparison: Tank Bigsby
Player Grade: Round 3 (74.4)
