When you looked at Kalel Mullings at Stanford's camp in June you may not have first guessed that he's a 2020 recruit. The linebacker/running back from Milton Academy in Massachusetts impressed in drills and enjoyed learning from coaches such as Stanford's Ron Gould.

"The camp was great," Mullings said. "The number of players was great. We were able to get lots of quality reps. The common feedback I got was that I performed great, way beyond my age and that I am very coachable. They found it hard to believe I am 14 years old."

Coaches at other programs seem to be in agreement. He finished his tour of camps and visits in California with offers from UCLA and San Jose State. He already reported offers from Michigan, Boston College, Maryland, Rutgers and Syracuse.

Mullings stayed at Stanford for the June 21 junior day: "It’s hard to just pick one highlight. The entire day was a highlight. The tour was amazing and informative. Any questions I had about the campus and campus life was answered. I received a great deal of information on the program, from the strength and conditioning program to academic support. The staff got really in-depth about the application process and requirements. I learned that it takes a special person to succeed at Stanford University. I have much greater respect for all the current and former Stanford University student-athletes."

Mullings knows that Stanford doesn't offer many scholarships and rarely as early as many of the programs who have already offered him. His interaction with Gould were especially informative about the process and also was a great chance to learn from one of the more successful running back coaches in college football.

"In fact, we spent most of the camp talking," Mullings said of Gould. "We spoke after every rep. He was either applauding something I did or offering feedback. After the junior day was over ... Coach Gould drove my family and I back to our car and we talked for another 45 minutes. From that conversation and our interactions at camp, I feel that he is a coach that could help me reach my full potential."

Mullings knows generally he's looking for a school that offers a great education and "big-time football." But with three years before he is a college student he acknowledged there is plenty of time for relationships to develop, academic interests to change and and other factors to consider.

In the end his decision will be made "based on facts and not hype," Mullings said.

That level of reasoned thinking at 14 years old isn't a surprise from someone who has been a student in demanding academic environments since he was in grade school.

"I am fortunate to have my parents," he said. "They have done everything to put me in the best position to succeed. They leave nothing to chance. I was one of 16 students enrolled, out of a pool of about 300 applicants, to Milton Academy’s 6th grade class. The class also had 30 students moving up from the elementary school. It's literally the high school version of Stanford. I have multiple academic interests. I like business and I love to debate. I am really feeling history and anthropology right now. Some days I want to major in business other days it's law."

While at Stanford's junior day he had lunch with professor G. Marcus Cole.

"He is a Cornell University alumnus like my mom," Mullings said. "Needless to say they got along very well. Professor Cole was very informative."

And soon Mullings will have a personal connection to Stanford. He attends the same high school as 2018 basketball commit Cormac Ryan.

"We played basketball before or after track practice this spring," Mullings said. "He is a great player and an even better person. Stanford hit the jackpot with his commitment."