Scouts are always looking for "the guy." You know, that one prospect who falls through the cracks because he didn't play for a blue-blood program like Alabama or Georgia. Irv Mulligan is that guy. Honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention to Jackson State lately, you've missed one of the most compelling narratives in the entire irv mulligan nfl draft conversation.
We are talking about a kid who didn't just play at Jackson State; he literally rewrote the record books of a legend. When you break a single-season rushing record previously held by Walter Payton, people tend to sit up and take notice. But does that translate to a Sunday afternoon in the NFL? That's the question currently buzzing through front offices from Philly to Seattle.
The Physical Profile: More Than Just a "Small School" Back
Irv Mulligan stands about 5'10" and weighs in at a solid 205 pounds. He’s built like a bowling ball made of muscle. It’s that compact, low-center-of-gravity frame that makes him a nightmare for linebackers in the hole. During the 2024 season, he racked up 1,245 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Think about that for a second.
He surpassed Payton's 1973 record of 1,139 yards. In the world of HBCU football, that’s basically like walking into Chicago and telling everyone you’re better than Michael Jordan. It takes a certain kind of "swagger," as Irv puts it, to carry that weight.
At the HBCU Combine in New Orleans, he clocked a 4.58-second 40-yard dash. Now, look, that’s not "Tyreek Hill" fast. It’s not going to set the world on fire. But it is plenty fast enough when you combine it with his elite contact balance. He’s the kind of runner who doesn't go down on the first hit. He sort of bounces off defenders, keeps his legs churning, and finds three yards where there should have been zero.
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Addressing the "Weaknesses" Head-On
Scouts had one major gripe with Mulligan coming out of the regular season: his hands. Or, more accurately, the lack of evidence that he had any. He only caught 13 passes in his college career. In the modern NFL, if you can't catch, you’re basically a dinosaur. You're a two-down back in a three-down league.
Mulligan knew this.
Instead of ducking the criticism, he went to the HBCU Combine and the Legacy Bowl specifically to show he could play the "Alvin Kamara role." He actually jumped into wide receiver drills. He was out there running slates and gos, trying to prove his hand-eye coordination was more than just a theory.
"I wanted to come out here and show that I can really catch the ball... I don’t want to catch like a running back. I want to catch with smooth, soft hands like a wide receiver." — Irv Mulligan.
There is something to be said for that kind of self-awareness. Most players just lean on their highlights. Mulligan is leaning into his flaws to fix them before the draft hits.
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The Wofford Connection and Perseverance
Before he was the king of Jackson State, Mulligan was grinding away at Wofford. He had a productive stint there, but he sort of hit a ceiling. Transferring as a graduate student to JSU wasn't just about football; it was about the legacy. He’s a guy who talks a lot about his two kids and the "miles" on his tires. He runs like someone who has bills to pay.
His vision is probably his most underrated trait. While some backs just put their head down and pray for a hole, Mulligan is patient. He’s got that "skinny" ability—twisting his shoulders to slide through gaps that aren't even fully open yet.
Draft Projection: Where Does He Land?
So, where does the irv mulligan nfl draft hype actually lead?
Realistically, we are looking at a Day 3 pick or a very high-priority Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA). The NFL is currently saturated with "good" running backs, which makes it hard for small-school stars to break into the top four rounds unless they run a 4.3.
However, his special teams potential is what will keep him on a roster. He’s a willing blocker. Most star college RBs hate pass protection. Irv actually seems to enjoy hitting linebackers in the mouth to keep his QB clean. That’s the kind of "dirty work" that earns you a spot as a RB3 or RB4 on an active roster.
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- Best Fits: Teams like the Baltimore Ravens or the San Francisco 49ers. Why? Because they value "north-south" runners who don't dance in the backfield.
- The "HBCU Factor": There’s a chip on his shoulder regarding the level of competition. He knows the "it was just the SWAC" talk is coming.
- Comparison: He’s been compared to guys like Dalvin Cook or even a more compact Marshawn Lynch in terms of his "refuse to die" running style.
Why Scouts are Low-Key Obsessed
It’s the "contact balance." You can’t coach that. You either have the inner ear for it or you don't. Mulligan can be hit at the knees, stumble, put a hand down, and keep going for another ten yards. In a league where the margins are razor-thin, that extra yardage after contact is gold.
Plus, the guy is a leader. You don't walk into a program like Jackson State and break a legend's record without having the locker room behind you. He’s vocal, he’s disciplined, and he’s been through the ringer of the transfer portal and the FCS-to-HBCU jump.
Real-World Actionable Insights for Draft Analysts
If you are tracking the 2025/2026 draft cycles, here is how to evaluate Mulligan’s transition:
- Watch the Pad Level: In the NFL, if he runs too high, those "stumbles" turn into fumbles. Watch his preseason tape to see if he stays low against pro-sized defensive ends.
- Special Teams Usage: If he isn't on the kick return or coverage units, his path to the 53-man roster is much harder.
- The "Third Down" Test: Can he identify a delayed blitz from a veteran NFL linebacker? His college tape says yes, but the speed of the pro game is a different beast.
The story of Irv Mulligan isn't just about stats. It’s about a guy who idolized Walter Payton, went to the school where Payton became a legend, and then beat the legend's mark. Whether he's a late-round steal or a camp invite who fights his way up, he’s earned the right to be a name you remember when the draft clock is ticking.
Keep an eye on his Pro Day numbers, specifically the short shuttle and three-cone drill. Those lateral agility scores will tell us if his "vision" can translate to the speed of NFL pursuit angles. If he nails those, someone is going to get a very angry, very productive runner for a bargain price.