There’s just not enough good things one can say about the start to Kaleb Johnson’s 2024 season.
The 6-foot, 225 pound running back is authoring one of the greatest starts to a season in Hawkeye history.
Through the Hawkeyes’ first four games, Johnson leads the nation in rushing with 685 rushing yards on 82 carries. Johnson has eclipsed the century mark in every game this season—including the season opener where he sat out the first half—and he has multiple rushing touchdowns in all four games.
ESPN is taking notice. Bill Connelly featured Johnson among his early-season surprising stars team.
I am once again trying not to alarm people, but … Iowa is up to 88th in offensive SP+! Don’t laugh: The Hawkeyes were 129th last season. This is a massive improvement, and it hasn’t come from the passing game. (Cade McNamara: currently 113th in Total QBR behind benched players such as Michigan’s Davis Warren and Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold.)
Nope, it’s just come from the fact that, when Iowa runs the ball, it goes a long way. Johnson leads the nation with 685 yards and carried the Hawkeyes to a 31-14 win over rival Minnesota on Saturday evening thanks to a 21-carry, 206-yard, 3-touchdown performance. He has been one of the most efficient and explosive backs in the country thus far. – Connelly, ESPN.
At the rate that Johnson is going, he is going to wind up as the Doak Walker Award winner and should be up for a number of other awards as well.
Obviously, Johnson has to keep it rolling, but it’s been a special start to the season. It’s something that’s not lost on his head football coach, Kirk Ferentz.
After the win over Minnesota, Ferentz was asked how this compares to Shonn Greene’s historic 2008 season with the Hawkeyes.
“I’m not sure I remember anybody in four games doing what he’s done. He just continues to run really well and he’s been really aggressive. You know, he’s always been a big, strong guy and a talented guy. But, right now, he’s really just focused and I think really coming into his own in terms of using what strengths and abilities he does have and he’s really using those to his advantage.
“So, yeah, it’s been a really impressive four games. But, Shonn Greene did it, whatever it was, 12 games. I think we were 12-game seasons back then. If it wasn’t, it was 11. But, he did it each and every week and that’s a challenge. It’s easier to talk about that stuff than do it. But, have every reason to think that Kaleb’s just going to keep getting better and he’s got a great attitude, so really, really happy for him,” Ferentz said.
Iowa and Johnson return to action with a road date at No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS.
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