The 49ers received this pick from the Miami Dolphins as part of their initial trade down from the No. 27 overall selection, which was followed by another trade down.
Black completed a six-year collegiate career at James Madison and Indiana, totaling 2,261 rushing yards, 473 receiving yards, and 22 total touchdowns, per Sports Reference. After transferring to Indiana, he recorded a career-high 1,040 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns during the 2025 season while helping the Hoosiers win the College Football Playoff National Championship. He finished his career with 51 games.
Measurements
The following are the official measurements from the NFL Scouting Combine.
- Height: 5-9
- Weight: 208 lbs
Hometown
Virginia Beach, VA
College Statistics
| Year | School | GP | GS | CAR | RUSH YDS | RUSH AVG | RUSH TD | REC | REC YDS | REC AVG | REC TD |
| 2020 | James Madison | 2 | 0 | 25 | 170 | 6.8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | James Madison | 3 | 2 | 27 | 165 | 6.1 | 0 | 3 | 55 | 18.3 | 0 |
| 2022 | James Madison | 9 | 1 | 69 | 333 | 4.8 | 3 | 17 | 177 | 10.4 | 2 |
| 2023 | James Madison | 13 | 12 | 142 | 637 | 4.5 | 1 | 27 | 254 | 9.4 | 4 |
| 2024 | Indiana | 13 | 0 | 46 | 251 | 5.5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 1.5 | 0 |
| 2025 | Indiana | 16 | 0 | 186 | 1,040 | 5.6 | 10 | 4 | 36 | 9 | 0 |
- 2020: Redshirted; enrolled June 2020
- 2021: Missed final 11 games (right knee)
- 2023: Led team in rushing
- 2024: Enrolled December 2023
- 2025: Led team in rushing TDs
Scouting Report
Lance Zierlein's NFL.com scouting report:
"Get what is blocked" runner with good size and above-average aggression as a finisher. Black split carries in Indiana's downhill attack and generally kept the run on its designed track. He lacks ideal burst and utilizes too many stutter-steps in processing the run lane while headed to the hole. He's not elusive inside but will add yards with his tackle-breaking and fall-forward running style. Black is a grinder with below-average third-down value, but he could create competition for a RB3/4 role in camp.
NFL.com Draft Bio:
- 2020-21 (James Madison): Played in 2 games of the team's spring season as a reserve (25-170-6.8, TD rushing), School did not play in the fall due to COVID-19 concerns.
- 2021 (James Madison): Redshirted. Started the first 3 games (27-165-6.1 rushing; 3-55-18.3 receiving; 1-52-52.0 KR). Missed the rest of the season due to injury.
- 2022 (James Madison): Played in 9 games with 1 start (69-333-4.8, 3 TDs rushing; 17-177-10.4, 2 TDs receiving; 2-26-13.0 KR).
- 2023 (James Madison): Led team with 637 rushing yards (142 carries, 4.5 per, TD). Played in all 13 games with 12 starts (27-254-9.4, 4 TDs receiving).
- 2024: Played in all 13 games with 1 start (46-251-5.5, 2 TDs rushing; 4-6-1.5 receiving).
- 2025: Led the team with 10 rushing TDs (186-1,040-5.6). Indiana was the only FBS team with 2 1,000-yard rushers (Black and Roman Hemby). Played in all 16 games as a reserve for the national champions (4-36-9.0 receiving).
Pre-Draft Grade:
Black earned a pre-draft grade of 5.69 from NFL.com, which equates to a "candidate for the bottom of a roster or practice squad player," per the site's 8-point grading scale.
Projection:
NFL.com projected Black to be a fifth- or sixth-round draft pick.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) Grades:
Kaelon Black is a running back for the Indiana Hoosiers who earned a 77.6 overall PFF grade in the 2025 season, 137th among 406 qualified running backs. His PFF rushing grade of 79.6 ranked 162nd among 406 qualified running backs.
More Draft Analysis
PFF's Analysis:
Black brings strong legs, good burst and the kind of effort coaches appreciate in a hard-nosed running style. However, his run game lacks true difference-making creativity, and his third-down usage is very limited.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic's Analysis:
A short, well-built back, Black runs balanced, low to the ground and consistently finds cracks at the line of scrimmage. Instead of gearing down ahead of impending contact, he bursts to accelerate into flat-footed defenders, and his physical run style helps him maximize each touch. Though mashing the gas pedal helps him produce, he could benefit from added patience to eliminate false-stepping cuts.
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