Elite 2020 MA LB Has Interest In Irish

Kalel Mullings‍ has plenty of time before he needs to make a college decision, but since the recruiting process started so early, the 2020 Massachusetts linebacker is going to take advantage of the head start he’s been giving.

The Milton Academy standout saw his recruitment officially kick off right after his freshman season.

“We sent out the film to a lot of colleges and I got my first offer in January of my freshman year and it’s been going ever since,” the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder said.

That first offer was a big one, Michigan.

“It was crazy,” Mullings said. “I was speechless. I still am. I didn’t expect it at all, honestly. I’m at a loss for words.”

Since then, the Boston native has added offers from Boston College, Rutgers, Syracuse, Maryland, UCLA and San Jose State.

“It’s just crazy that the recruiting process has started so early for me, but it’s allowed me to see and be able to choose which school is the best fit for me,” Mullings said. “Obviously, the choice I’m making now is a life choice. I know it’s a huge choice, so my goal is just to use the time I have to make a smart choice.

“I want a school that has amazing football, but I also want to make sure, academically, the school is sound and has something I want to study. As it comes to football, I just want a school that will invest in their program and cares about the betterment of their program.”

Notre Dame is one school that has shown some preliminary interest and one Mullings has serious interest in.

“Obviously, the history of Notre Dame,” he said. “Notre Dame is just Notre Dame, what else can you say about it?

“I feel like Notre Dame is sort of like my high school now. It’s a smaller school, it’s not as big as some of these other schools. I feel like it would just be a continuation of my school now in a way. I’ve never been, but I feel like I would enjoy it a lot.”

Mullings attends the same school current Irish kicker Justin Yoon attended.

“He was the number one kicker in the country, so he could have pretty much gone anywhere and he chose Notre Dame,” Mullings said of Yoon.

He hasn’t had a chance to speak with Yoon about Notre Dame yet, but his high school coach has assured him the sophomore kicker is enjoying himself.

“So if I get the opportunity to go down to Notre Dame, that would be great,” Mullings continued. “I’d love to see it.”

The Irish invited Mullings to a camp this past summer, but he’d already had his West Coast trip planned and couldn’t adjust his schedule.

“Early this summer, hopefully, I‘ll be able to head down and visit or do a camp or something like that,” said Mullings.

He’s already made several unofficial visits.

“I’ve been to Boston College, I’m actually like 10 minutes down the street from Boston College,” he said. “I’ve been to Michigan, Syracuse, UCLA and Rutgers. I’ve also been to Penn State, Stanford, USC and Cornell.”

With many of his games on Saturday afternoon, he hasn’t been able to hit the road this fall, but that’ll change in the coming weeks.

“I plan to go to the BC-FSU game because that’s after my season and I also plan on going to the Michigan-Ohio State game, that’s also after my season,” he said.

“I want to be able to see all of my options. I want to make sure whatever choice I make is the best choice and fit for me.”

Mullings, who has been clocked at sub-4.6 in the 40-yard dash, has been told college scouts believe he can be the total package at linebacker.

“They say they like the versatility of my game and my ability to do a lot of different things,” he said. “I’m able to cover, I’m able to fill holes. They say it’s just my range of ability.”

With more than two seasons of high school football remaining, Mullings says he wants to get better at linebacker and running back, where he’s also playing this season.

“I just want to master my craft in a sense,” he said. “Overall, I just want to get better and improve myself. I want to get bigger, faster and stronger like everybody.

“I feel like if I continue to do that, I’ll be good. I’ll help my team out, we’ll win games and it’ll be a lot of fun.”