National champion running back among Patriots’ latest pre-draft visits

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 09: Indiana Hoosiers running back Kaelon Black (8) runs with the ball during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against the Oregon Ducks on January 09, 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images With the NFL Draft only two weeks away and the window to host prospects coming to a close on April 15 , the New England Patriots are entering the final stages of their preparation for the big event. As part of this process, more names of players who have had contact with the organization start to emerge.

Among them are four who either have already visit or are planning to visit the Patriots’ facility at Gillette Stadium, including a running back who won the National Championship just earlier this year: Indiana’s Kaelon Black is arguably the most prominent part of this latest batch of reported visits . Black, 24, is one of the more experienced running backs in this year’s draft. Starting his college career with a four-year stint at James Madison, he transferred to Indiana for two additional seasons — including the 2025 title campaign that saw him put up career numbers with 187 carries for 1,039 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The 5-foot-9, 211-pound back projects as an early-down runner. Beyond Black, the Patriots also have been linked to three other players, Cincinnati wide receiver Cyrus Allen, Flordia edge George Gumbs Jr. and Wake Forest cornerback Karon Prunty.

None of them are expected to be drafted earlier than Day 3. Allen, 23, played two seasons at Louisiana Tech followed by one-year stints at Texas A&M and Cincinnati. The 5-foot-11, 183-pound slot receiver is entering the draft off his most productive season, catching 51 passes for 674 yards and 13 touchdowns in his lone season with the Bearcats.