RB Kaelon Black Press Conference

RB Kaelon Black

Press Conference – April 24, 2026

San Francisco 49ers

Any inkling this was coming, the 49ers?

“I had some talks, but I had no idea it was coming. It is just, it’s a dream come true to be able to be in the NFL now and be on the team that I’ve also looked up to growing up.”

What are you looking forward to most now that you’re with the 49ers?

“Man, just learning and growing from, from guys like [RB] Christian McCaffrey and even [Running Backs Coach Robert Turner Jr.] Coach Bobby T. I had some contact with him in our Zoom meetings and things like that. And I just feel like being a part of a great running back room is one of those things that can help you excel and become a better player. So I’m just truly humbled and just very excited to get going.”

How many times did Bobby T. call you and text you?

“I can’t even put a number to it. I just love him as a coach, and I could tell how excited he is. Just the way that we talked and interacted, it seemed like we’ve been in contact with each other for a long time.”

How does the outside zone scheme of these guys run a lot fit with your running style?

“It’s one of those things where it is just a style that I’m comfortable with. We ran a lot of outside zone at IU, even back to my days at JMU. So, running outside zone, I feel like it’s going to be even more of my bread and butter now.”

I know there was a lot of buzz about you sleeping in Chicago. Can you just take us through that? I know we haven’t really gotten your perspective. What have you learned throughout the draft process?

“Yeah, so I was pretty much coming from Vegas on a visit and got stuck in Chicago because of a lot of rain. And then, I think Cincinnati was around a five-hour drive away, and the next available flight wasn’t until 1:00 PM the next day, so I pretty much would’ve missed the visit. And they said we’re just going to get you guys an Uber. We got in the Uber, took the ride, and by this time it was probably like 9:00 or 10:00 AM when we finally got to Cincinnati. So yeah, we were in the airport for a long time, but it’s just a testament to character. Doing whatever, going through whatever to make things happen. And I feel like that’s also a character trait that I carry in my life as well.”

What do you think that you can take from being a teammate with Christian McCaffrey?

“Just how to be dynamic. We all know that Christian McCaffrey is a one thousand/one thousand guy easily. And I just feel like being under a guy like him is going to be special. I’m truly humbled to be able to work with a guy like him, someone I’ve always looked up to, even back to his days at Stanford. So, I’m just really excited to get to work with him.”

I noticed there haven’t really been a lot of receptions for you the past couple of years. You had more receptions at James Madison under the same head coach. Was that a part of your game that was underutilized the last two years? Is it something that you have and just haven’t done or a part of your game that you’re going to watch Christian and take it all in?

“Honestly, it’s one of the things where I’m going to take it all in. It kind of got schemed out being at IU. We had some great receivers like [Indiana Hoosiers WR] Elijah Sarratt, [Indiana Hoosiers WR] Charlie Becker, and [Indiana Hoosiers WR] E.J. Williams [Jr.], and [New York Jets WR] Omar Cooper [Jr.] as well. So anytime [Las Vegas Raiders QB] Fernando [Mendoza] was throwing the ball to those guys, they were catching them. So, it wasn’t like we couldn’t do it as running backs, it was making sure we stayed on it and made sure we stayed focused, and it was always there.”

What’s the most important thing you learned at Indiana going all the way through?

“Honestly, how to build a winning program and a winning culture. Being under Coach [Indiana Hoosiers Head Coach Curt] Cignetti for so long has taught me a lot and I’m truly blessed to be coached by him for such a long time. Great team building, having a great locker room, no cliques, and everyone just being focused on the same common goal regardless of what anyone says on the outside.”

You’re going to be reuniting with DL C.J. West and QB Kurtis Rourke. What are your feelings on that? And was there ever a world where you thought this was possible?

“Man, I didn’t even realize it until now. My boy, C.J. and Kurt are still out there, so I’m like, man, it’s definitely going to be exciting. Like I said, I’m just truly humbled, truly blessed, and I don’t even know what to say. Like, I’m glad to be back with some winners again.”