Kaleb Johnson (running back)

Kaleb Johnson
Iowa Hawkeyes – No. 2
PositionRunning back
ClassJunior
MajorEnterprise Leadership
Personal information
Born: (2003-08-14) August 14, 2003 (age 21)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career history
College
  • Iowa (2022–present)
High schoolHamilton (Hamilton, Ohio)

Kaleb Johnson (born August 14, 2003) is an American football running back for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Early life and high school

Johnson attended Hamilton High School located in Hamilton, Ohio. Coming out of high school, Johnson was rated as a three-star recruit and the 36th overall running back in the class of 2022, where he also held offers from schools such as California, Cincinnati, Michigan, Michigan State, Pitt, Kentucky, Minnesota, Iowa, West Virginia, Ball State, Kent State, Liberty, Marshall, Miami University, Toledo, Western Michigan, and Eastern Kentucky.[1][2] Initially, Johnson committed to play college football for the California Golden Bears.[3][4] However, Johnson decided to flip his commitment to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes.[5][6]

College career

In Johnson's first two seasons in 2022 and 2023, he rushed 268 times for 1,242 yards and nine touchdowns, while also hauling in seven receptions for 52 yards.[7][8][9] In week one of the 2024 season, Johnson rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries despite being suspended for the first half of the game, helping the Hawkeyes to a win over Illinois State.[10]

Through week 6 (five Iowa games) of the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season, Johnson ranks second in the FBS in rushing yards (771) and third in touchdowns (10) despite not playing the first half of the season opener.[11][12]

Statistics

Iowa Hawkeyes
Season   Rushing Receiving Kick Return
G Att Yards Avg Long TD Rec Yards Avg Long TD Ret Yards Avg Long TD
2022 13 151 779 5.2 75T 6 4 27 6.8 14 0 13 325 25.0 42 0
2023 10 117 463 4.0 67T 3 3 25 8.3 13 0 2 77 38.5 54 0
2024 5 97 771 7.9 64T 10 9 31 3.4 10 0 0 0 0.0 – 0
Career 28 365 2,013 5.5 75T 19 16 83 5.2 14 0 15 402 26.8 54 0

References

  1. ^ Springer, Scott (13 October 2021). "Hamilton High running back flips from California football to Iowa Hawkeyes". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  2. ^ Springer, Scott (15 December 2021). "Signing Day: What does Hamilton running back Kaleb Johnson bring to Iowa football?". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  3. ^ Dyer, Mike (21 June 2021). "Hamilton senior running back Kaleb Johnson verbally commits to the University of California Berkeley". WCPO.com. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  4. ^ Curtis, Jake (21 June 2021). "Ohio RB Kaleb Johnson Commits to Cal for 2022". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  5. ^ Dochterman, Scott (8 November 2022). "Iowa's Kaleb Johnson enjoying featured role: 'I don't feel like a freshman'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  6. ^ Bohenkamp, John (20 October 2021). "Cal Commit RB Kaleb Johnson Flips to Iowa". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  7. ^ Schultz, Brad (31 August 2024). "Iowa football running back Kaleb Johnson motivated from first half suspension, delivers with two scores". The Daily Iowan. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  8. ^ Bohenkamp, John (7 October 2023). "Kaleb Johnson, Defense Spark Hawkeyes". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  9. ^ Dochterman, Scott (14 August 2023). "Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson 'was touched by God' with physicality: How high is his ceiling?". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  10. ^ Clark, Dave (1 September 2024). "Kaleb Johnson, Iowa RB from Hamilton, rushes for 119 yards, two TDs in one half". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  11. ^ "All Conferences Player Rushing Stats 2024". ESPN. October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  12. ^ "Iowa running backs Kaleb Johnson, Jaziun Patterson suspended for first half". USA Today. August 31, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.