Meet 2027 NFL Draft Prospect Charles Kellom, RB, Eastern Illinois

Charles Kellom emerged as the centerpiece of the Eastern Illinois offense following his transfer from Akron. An experienced, dependable workhorse, Kellom combines toughness with a strong understanding of blocking concepts. His vision, patience and football IQ allow him to press the line of scrimmage and give his blockers time to establish running lanes. Once the crease develops, he displays the decisiveness and acceleration to attack it. Good burst and breakaway speed give Kellom the explosiveness to turn well-blocked plays into chunk gains, while his quickness, balance and power help him make defenders miss and create yards beyond the initial point of contact.

Kellom’s value extends beyond the ground game, making him a versatile three-down option. He demonstrates the awareness and willingness to contribute in pass protection while providing the quarterback with a reliable safety valve out of the backfield. His big-play potential was on full display in a key 2026 matchup against Murray State, where he erupted for a career-high 171 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including an 88-yard score, earning OVC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Kellom’s combination of durability, intelligence and explosiveness makes him one of Eastern Illinois’ most important offensive weapons, capable of handling a heavy workload and creating impact plays as both a runner and receiver.…Read more by Jimmy Williams