Going into this season, the talk about the running back room for the Iowa Hawkeyes was focused on its incredible depth and stable of up to four running backs that could shoulder the load.
Fast-forward through two games this season and that narrative has been tossed out the window. The Hawkeyes have a clear-cut top dog in the running back room and that is junior Kaleb Johnson.
After seeing Kaleb Johnson achieve massive success on the ground through two games, Iowa running back coach Ladell Betts confirmed that he is the Hawkeyes’ top running back moving forward.
“If KJ’s not in, it’s just because he needs a breather,” Betts said to reporters.
Ladell Betts on the Zoom today on other RBs getting carries aside from Kaleb Johnson: “If KJ’s not in, it’s just because he needs a breather.”
Johnson has had a lot of long runs so far this year, his 187 yards Saturday were most by an Iowa RB vs. ISU since 1996 (Tavian Banks).
— Chad Leistikow🆑 (@ChadLeistikow) September 11, 2024
Through two games, Johnson is far and away the lead back for Iowa. He has carried the ball 36 times already rushing for 306 yards and four touchdowns. The most impressive stat is the 8.5 yards per carry Johnson is averaging.
Last season, Johnson rushed 117 times for 463 yards and averaged just 4.0 yards per carry. His best season came as a freshman in 2022 when he ran for 779 yards and four touchdowns on 151 carries.
The product of Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Ohio has himself among the best in the nation. Johnson is No. 4 in total rushing yards and No. 10 in yards per carry.
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