Tag: Kaleb Johnson

Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson catching ESPN’s eye as 2025 NFL draft sleeper

As Kaleb Johnson emerges as one of the nation’s top running backs, the ESPN NFL draft analysts are also taking note.

After the start to the season that Iowa junior running back Kaleb Johnson is having, it’s no surprise to see the 2025 NFL draft buzz is building.

Through the first three games of the Hawkeyes’ 2024 season, Johnson is the nation’s leading rusher. The 6-foot, 225 pound running back has eclipsed the century mark in every game so far this season, including the season opener versus Illinois State where he was suspended for the first half.

With that feat, Johnson became the first Iowa running back since Jordan Canzeri in 2015 to rush for 100-plus yards in three consecutive games. Johnson also joined LeShun Daniels, Jr., in 2015 as the most recent Hawkeye to register two or more touchdowns in three straight games.

Johnson has rushed for 479 yards so far this season and is averaging 7.9 yards per carry. The Hamilton, Ohio, product has two rushing touchdowns in every game.

It’s early, but right now Johnson is tracking as a Doak Walker Award finalist and perhaps even the recipient.

The ESPN draft experts are taking note, too. ESPN NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid featured Johnson as the sleeper that caught his eye in the season’s first three weeks.

There are very few running backs who have been better through the first three games of the season than Johnson, who has already rushed for 479 yards and six touchdowns. He is a fast-moving, decisive runner who can accelerate through lanes in a hurry. At 6-foot and 225 pounds, Johnson has a dense frame that helps him take on and run through contact. He is capable of running from multiple platforms and could fit in various blocking schemes in the pros. – Reid, ESPN.

Johnson has always possessed an extra gear. That’s been on display early and often thus far this season. Johnson already has seven runs of 25-plus yards, including three that have gone for touchdowns.

But, it’s Johnson’s step forward in the physicality department that should have NFL front offices falling all over themselves to add him to their rosters in the very near future.

Per Pro Football Focus, Johnson already has 308 yards after contact.

Johnson is looking more and more like a complete back and certainly one of the Big Ten and nation’s finest.

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Kaleb Johnson leading nation in rushing through first three games of 2024 season

Kaleb Johnson currently leads the nation in rushing through the season’s first three weeks.

Iowa junior running back Kaleb Johnson has been on a tear to start the 2024 campaign.

As the Hawkeyes jump into Big Ten play, Johnson currently leads the nation in rushing through Iowa’s first three games.

The 6-foot, 225 pound running back has eclipsed the century mark in every game thus far this season and currently sits at 479 rushing yards through the first three weeks of the Hawkeyes’ season. That’s in front of Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty who has rushed for 459 yards in the Broncos’ first two games of the 2024 season.

Despite missing the first half due to suspension, Johnson still carried 11 times for 119 yards with a pair of scores in Iowa’s 40-0 season-opening win versus Illinois State.

Then, against Iowa State, Johnson rushed 25 times for 187 yards with two more trips to the end zone. Finally, this past weekend versus Troy, Johnson toted the rock 25 more times for 173 yards and two more touchdowns.

It’s pretty incredible what the Hamilton, Ohio, product is doing. Johnson already has seven rushes this season of 25-plus yards and he has a trio of touchdowns of 25-plus yards.

Johnson has always been explosive and capable of delivering the big play in a hurry, but he’s been earning the tough yardage this season, too.

“My first two years here, I was so used to just using my speed on people because that’s how it was in high school. Now, just me knowing that people are faster than me, it kind of hurt a little bit, because I’m used to just outrunning everybody. Now, it’s just me knowing that and me putting my strength, using my strength and putting my feet and my head down and just going,” Johnson said of how his game has developed.

Johnson’s electric start to the 2024 season has not been lost on his head coach either.

“There are some guys I am really pleased with. Stating the obvious, Kaleb Johnson is playing his best football right now. Obviously he’s getting yards, but the way he’s running right now is really encouraging,” Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said Saturday after the win over Troy.

Johnson is the first Hawkeye running back since Jordan Canzeri in 2015 to rush for 100-plus yards in three consecutive games and is the first Hawkeye to tally two or more touchdowns in three straight games since LeShun Daniels, Jr., in 2015.

Johnson will look to keep his explosive start to the season rolling as the Hawkeyes begin Big Ten play this coming Saturday at Minnesota at 6:30 p.m. CT on NBC.

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Ladell Betts confirms Kaleb Johnson as top Iowa football RB

Kaleb Johnson is clear-cut RB1.

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.

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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Kirk Ferentz lauds Kaleb Johnson’s development in Iowa run game

Kaleb Johnson is off to a sensational start to 2024.

While the passing game may be a work in progress for the Iowa Hawkeyes, the ground game has seen a lot of success through their first two games,

Most of that success has come when junior running back Kaleb Johnson is toting the ball as he has come out of the gates on fire with two games over 100 yards and four touchdowns already.

With just six quarters under his belt, Johnson has 36 carries for 306 yards and four touchdowns. He is averaging a whopping 8.5 yards per carry.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz commented on Johnson’s success and what has changed from last season.

“I think maturity and focus. It’s like any player. It’s rare for a freshman to play a veteran guy — rare. But he did a lot of good things the last two years. I think he has a much better feel for what he’s doing,” Ferentz said about Johnson maturing.

“He’s a little bit more patient than he was. He’s running really strong. Obviously had some really nice runs the other day. I thought his best runs were at the end of the game where he ran strong and broke some tackles. There wasn’t a lot there but he was making yards,” Ferentz added to compliment Johnson’s endurance and durability.

Through two contests, the offensive line has flexed their muscles in the run game paving the way for 445 rushing yards on 78 carries, an average of 5.7 yards per carry.

With 200 or more rushing yards in each of the first two games, it is the first time that the Hawkeyes have run for that many yards in back-to-back games since 2020.

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Kirk Ferentz details Iowa football’s plan for Kaleb Johnson, Kaleb Brown ahead of Cy-Hawk rivalry

Kirk has a plan for the Kalebs.

The Iowa Hawkeyes offense was explosive in their first game of the season and as crazy as it sounds, they may have more in the tank to unleash.

The second half against Illinois State saw Kaleb Brown unleashed for 119 yards and two touchdowns that put the game well out of reach and start the fun. He will return for a full game and is atop the running back depth chart.

At wideout, Kaleb Brown was not in action for the first game of the year due to disciplinary actions but will be suiting up in Week 2 against the Iowa State Cyclones alongside Reece Vander Zee and Luke Lachey.

In his weekly press conference, head coach Kirk Ferentz was asked about the plans for both Kaleb Johnson and Kaleb Brown this week.

“Yeah, both those guys have looked good. Anything that happens along the way — our deal is like we deal with it and then my encouragement for everybody is we’re looking forward. We’re not looking back unless there’s a reason to,” Ferentz said.

“Kaleb Johnson has practiced well. He’s been practicing well and did a good job. When he went in there, I wasn’t surprised. That’s how he’s been practicing. Really focused and hit the holes hard and all those types of things. Good to see that. That’s probably as well as I’ve seen him run the football since he’s been here. Great young guy. Got a great attitude,” said Ferentz about Johnson’s play.

“Then Kaleb Brown — it’s going to be good to get him back, too. The deal was last week he worked on the scout team against our defense, and Phil and those guys did a great job, and that’s what you want to hear. He had a great attitude about it. He’s back in the rotation now and he’ll be out there Saturday. I don’t know how much, but he’ll be out there,” Ferentz said confirming Brown’s availability.

Brown’s return will be welcomed as Seth Anderson appears to be out again this week with an injury.

Coming off of a 40-point showing that saw a second-half eruption of points, the Hawkeyes have more weapons to fully utilize and they are coming at just the right time with an early season heavyweight bout in the Cy-Hawk Rivalry.

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CBS Sports highlights new-look Iowa offense among Big Ten’s spring overreactions

Has Iowa indeed finally modernized its offense?

Everyone and their mothers know that the success of the Iowa Hawkeyes‘ season once again rests squarely on the shoulders of their offense. A new offensive coordinator, Tim Lester, joins an offense that gets some key starters healthy. But, is that enough to enter the modern era of successful offensive football?

Iowa had their open practice inside Kinnick Stadium and it was the first glimpse for fans to see the new offense. The Hawkeyes made a point to show motion, spread sets, and more innovation than the past few years combined.

Despite the innovation, it was just spring ball. The Hawkeyes have to do this in live game action. Due to that, CBS Sports has planted the Iowa Hawkeyes’ new offense on their list of Big Ten spring football overreactions.

Tom Fornelli of CBS believes that the Hawkeyes actually having a modern offense is among the biggest overreactions across the conference.

The Hawkeyes finally have a modern college football offense: Coaching staffs make a point not to put too much on tape for opponents to see in spring games, but there was a sense that new Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester wanted to make sure Iowa fans knew this wasn’t going to be the same offense. Yes, those were three receiver sets you saw, with Iowa running out of 11 personnel (3 WR, 1 RB), and that was a lot more motion than Iowa fans are used to seeing.

It’s beginning to look a lot like 2014 in Iowa City! Seriously, though, the changes Iowa showed in the playbook are encouraging, but there are still some key personnel questions. QB Cade McNamara was not a full participant this spring following his ACL injury, and Deacon Hill is in the transfer portal. – Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports

The large issue with Iowa’s offense, regardless of the scheme or play caller, has been, and appears to still be, the quarterback play. Cade McNamara tore his ACL last year and if spring ball is any indication, he appears a ways away from being game ready.

Deacon Hill, who was forced to play in a tough spot last season, has hit the transfer portal along with Tommy Poholsky, a walk-on. That leaves the Hawkeyes’ quarterback room very thin with just Marco Lainez behind Cade McNamara currently.

James Resar, a four-star signee in Iowa’s 2024 class, will join the Hawkeye quarterback room this summer.

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Kaleb Johnson delivers ‘100 percent’ performance against Purdue

The return of Kaleb Johnson was pivotal for Iowa in its 20-14 win over Purdue. The sophomore says he’s feeling 100 percent now.

For an offense in desperate need of a spark, sophomore running back Kaleb Johnson provided just that.

The 6-foot, 222 pound running back from Hamilton, Ohio, returned from an ankle injury and jumpstarted the Hawkeyes’ offense from the get-go.

After missing games versus Western Michigan, at Penn State and versus Michigan State, Johnson was back in the fold versus Purdue. His much-needed return got Iowa on the scoreboard quickly.

On the Hawkeyes’ second series and on his third touch in the game, Johnson took a carry to the left right through the middle of the Boilermakers’ defense and went untouched for a 67-yard touchdown scamper.

By day’s end, Johnson finished with 17 carries for 134 yards. The sophomore must really like suiting it up against Purdue. Last season in West Lafayette, Ind., Johnson racked up a career-high 200 rushing yards on 22 carries with a score in Iowa’s 24-3 win over Purdue.

“It means a lot, because during fall camp my ankle hurting was really affecting me and my game. After the healing process, I feel 100 percent now. I feel really good,” Johnson said afterwards.

As he nursed his way back from injury, Johnson leaned on his family and teammates.

“My family and my teammates motivating me and encouraging me to stay on top of my treatments. I was down and hurt, and I was sad to be out, but they kept me encouraged and told me what to do. I was able to get it done,” Johnson said.

Though he was disappointed to be sidelined, Johnson said he was happy to see his teammates’ successes. That included a 145-yard rushing day for junior Leshon Williams against Western Michigan.

“I was hurting inside, but at the same time, I was cheering on Leshon Williams and all of the other running backs, because they are like family to me. So, I love to see them progressing, too,” Johnson said.

Now, Johnson is back healthy and figures to be a key cog for Iowa’s offense the rest of the way in 2023.

That’s great news, too, because one of Iowa’s toughest challenges to date is on deck next week as the Hawkeyes travel to Wisconsin to take on the Badgers in a key Big Ten West date at 3 p.m. CT on Fox on Saturday, Oct. 14.

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Running back Kaleb Johnson returns to practice for the Iowa Hawkeyes

Lead back Kaleb Johnson has returned to practice for the Iowa Hawkeyes after a few weeks out. His return could be instrumental for Iowa.

The Iowa Hawkeyes got a big boost in the backfield. Lead running back Kaleb Johnson returned to practice after being sidelined for a few weeks due to an ankle injury of sorts. His return was reported by David Eickholt of 247Sports on Twitter as he spoke to fellow running back Leshon Williams.

“He look like Kaleb,” Williams told Eickholt today when discussing Johnson’s return to the field.

It is unknown if Johnson will be able to suit up and go against Purdue this upcoming Saturday, although he may be chomping at the bit after his performance against the Boilermakers last year. As a freshman, Johnson torched Purdue for 200 yards and a touchdown in West Lafayette.

If Johnson can return to form, he will provide the most experience behind Leshon Williams to a backfield that is relatively young. Johnson’s 779 yards and six rushing touchdowns led the Hawkeyes in 2022.

His talents would be welcomed with very open arms as Iowa is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry on the season. He would bolster Iowa’s backfield and be an extremely solid half of a duo paired with Leshon Williams who is averaging 5.7 yards per carry and leads the Hawkeyes with 211 yards on the ground this season.

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Iowa releases Week 4 availability report ahead of Penn State contest

The Iowa Hawkeyes released their availability report ahead of tonight’s matchup at Penn State.

The No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes boot up Big Ten play in a big way tonight as they invade Beaver Stadium to take on No. 7 Penn State.

It’s the Nittany Lions’ annual White Out night where everyone in the crowd wears white. That tends to rev up an already-excitable Happy Valley faithful to another notch. The Hawkeyes decided to mix things up and wear black for the occasion.

There’s plenty of keys and questions entering the contest. Namely, how does Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara perform and can the Hawkeyes’ offense muster up enough to swing the upset?

Those questions will soon be answered. Ahead of the contest, Iowa released its Week 4 availability report.

As Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz noted in his press conference earlier this week, running backs Kaleb Johnson and Jaziun Patterson are listed as out for tonight’s contest.

Patterson was a key figure in Iowa’s Week 2 win over Iowa State, rushing for 86 yards and a score on 10 carries in the Hawkeyes’ 20-13 Cy-Hawk victory. Meanwhile, Johnson was Iowa’s leading rusher last season, tallying 779 rushing yards and six scores during his freshman campaign.

Of course, Ferentz revealed earlier this week that star junior tight end Luke Lachey would likely miss the remainder of the season as he deals with a “significant injury.”

Joining the two backs and Lachey as out on the availability report are redshirt freshmen wide receivers Jacob Bostick and Reese Osgood, junior offensive lineman Asher Fahey and senior defensive lineman Chris Reames.

Iowa kicks off at Penn State at 6:40 p.m. CT on CBS.

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RB Kaleb Johnson listed ‘out’ in Iowa’s weekly availability report

Hawkeye sophomore running back Kaleb Johnson is listed as “out” in Iowa’s weekly availability report.

The Iowa Hawkeyes released their Week 3 availability report ahead of this afternoon’s showdown against Western Michigan at 2:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network from Kinnick Stadium.

There’s several notable developments on the availability report in the final nonconference contest of the 2023 season for Iowa.

First, after sitting as “questionable” on each of the season’s first two availability reports, Hawkeye starting quarterback Cade McNamara isn’t on this Week 3 availability report. That’s a great sign for the senior signal-caller from Reno, Nev.

McNamara said earlier this week that he’s feeling as good physically as he has in a month’s time. Through two games, the Michigan transfer has completed 29-of-52 passes for 314 yards with a pair of touchdowns.

Secondly, sophomore running back Kaleb Johnson is listed as “out” in the Week 3 availability report. For this week, that may be the most notable availability development.

Redshirt freshmen wide receivers Jacob Bostick and Reese Osgood, junior offensive lineman Asher Fahey and senior defensive lineman Chris Reames join Johnson among Hawkeyes listed as “out.” Sophomore linebacker Jaxon Rexroth is also listed as “questionable.”

The good news for Iowa in its backfield is the emergence of redshirt freshman running back Jaziun Patterson.

The 5-foot-10, 204 pound running back carried 10 times last week for 86 yards versus Iowa State, including his 4-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. The Pompano Beach, Fla., product busted off a 59-yard run on the Hawkeyes’ first possession.

Junior running back Leshon Williams also figures to see a significant share of the workload versus Western Michigan. The 5-foot-10, 208 pound junior has 500 rushing yards with a pair of rushing touchdowns during his Hawkeye career.

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