Junior running back Kaleb Johnson’s remarkable 2024 season was properly rewarded on Tuesday.
Johnson was named as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award. Presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding collegiate running back, the award was created in 1989 and named after the 1948 Heisman Trophy winner from SMU, Doak Walker.
Johnson joins Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton.
Johnson has been enjoying a storybook 2024 season with the Iowa Hawkeyes. After contributing each of his first two seasons on campus, Johnson has erupted to the next level during his junior season.
During the 2024 season, the 6-foot, 225 pound running back has carried 223 times for 1,492 rushing yards and an Iowa single-season record 21 rushing touchdowns.
Johnson has also caught 20 passes for 115 yards and one score.
Doak Walker Award Finalist ➡️ @Kj_Superman2 #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/L5tavGgv1m
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) November 26, 2024
Johnson has scored at least one touchdown in 11 straight games, which is the longest stretch in Iowa history. Johnson has seven multi-touchdown games this season and four with three scores.
A native of Hamilton, Ohio, Johnson arrived in Iowa City as a three-star signee in the 2022 class. According to 247Sports, Johnson was the nation’s No. 435 player overall, the No. 35 running back and the No. 15 player from Ohio.
In addition to being named a Doak Walker Award finalist, Johnson was also named a Maxwell Award semifinalist, a Walter Camp National POY semifinalist and a midseason All-American by CBS Sports, Sporting News and The Athletic.
The 2024 Doak Walker Award honoree will be announced Dec. 12.
Iowa returns to action in its regular season finale on Friday, Nov. 29 with a rivalry date against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT with the game televised on NBC.
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