Tyler TachmanDes Moines Register
Iowa football's Kaleb Johnson has been selected in the 3rd round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Johnson was the 83rd overall pick.
Johnson was among the best running backs in college football last season
Here is a look at Johnson's path to this moment.
What Kaleb Johnson brings to the Steelers
Johnson's record-breaking junior season was preceded by two drastically different campaigns.
A 3-star prospect out of Hamilton, Ohio, Johnson burst onto the scene in his true freshman season at Iowa. His 779 rushing yards were the most of any freshman in program history. Johnson was one of the fleeting bright spots on a struggling offense.
That set the stage for what many believed could be an even stronger sophomore season. But that didn't pan out as expected.
Johnson missed time due to injury. He still produced some highlights, including a 134-yard rushing performance against Purdue. But it wasn't close to an emphatic success that once seemed possible. His role in the backfield diminished compared to his freshman season.
Though he had a less-than-stellar season, Johnson didn't enter the transfer portal, something that is becoming rarer in the modern college football landscape.
"I'm not gonna lie, a lot of people came to me and asked me, am I going (into the transfer portal)?" Johnson said in September 2024. "I said, no I'm staying here. This is home. So this is where I want to be at. So I just give credit to (head coach Kirk Ferentz) for them still believingin me, (running backs coach Ladell Betts) and all them.So I'm just going to keep my head down, keep moving forward."
That decision paid off in a big way.
Johnson, who already had the physical gifts and lofty potential, was finally able to put it together.
Johnson and Iowa's offensive line almost single-handedly paved the way for legitimate improvement on that side of the ball under new coordinator Tim Lester. Johnson was a human highlight reel as he put up outrageous numbers. He rushed for more than 100 yards in eight of his 12 appearances last season, including a 206-yard outing against Minnesota. Johnson had seven multi-touchdown games as a junior.
In what ended up being his last game in a Hawkeye uniform, Johnson delivered an iconic receiving touchdown against Nebraska, shaking multiple defenders on his way to the end zone.
Johnson, who was named Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year, posted single-season Iowa program records in points (138), total touchdowns (23) and rushing scores (21).
"He's hit a maturity level that maybe he didn't have his first two years," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said in November. "... He's putting his experience to good use. He's running smarter, running better, running stronger. Everything about it is better right now. He has a great attitude. He's really fun to be on the field with and fun to be in here with or anywhere else. He's just a good young man.
"It's been fun to watch his maturity and growth take place. He's always had a good skill set. Part of it is catching up with the mentality part, too. That's the benefit of being older, for sure."
In just three seasons at Iowa, Johnson combined to rush for 2,779 yards and leaves among the best running backs in program history.
Scouting report
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote the following evaluation of Johnson:
Johnson is built like a bruiser, but his style is more finesse, preferring to win with tempo and decisiveness. He keeps his runs on time and on track while allowing blockers to do their job. He’s not overly aggressive, but he has the size and strength to break tackles and grab extra yards at the finish. He runs with below-average creativity and cut quickness but has consistent linear play speed to pop chunk runs. He can catch, but his three-down value takes a hit because of his struggles in pass (protection). Johnson’s traits and running style make him a projectable fit in a two-back system with the upside to take on a bigger chunk down the road.
Strengths
- Good size with an athletic, proportional frame.
- Handled heavier workload and produced at a high level.
- Running style tends to be patient but decisive.
- Operates with consistent tempo and a trust for the run track.
- Keeps feet active while reading block development.
- Brushes off second-level tacklers and piles up explosive carries.
- Capable of bringing in off-frame throws.
Weaknesses
- Average bend leads to an upright running style.
- Lacks sudden acceleration after feet are slowed.
- Below-average contact aggression for his size.
- Not enough lateral agility for sharp back-side cuts across the grain.
- Unlikely to be trusted with third-down protection duties.
Kaleb Johnson highlights
Height and weight
- Height: 6’ 1’’
- Weight: 224 lbs
Kaleb Johnson stats at Iowa
- Career: 2,779 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns on the ground, along with 240 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
- 2024 season: 240 rushing attempts for 1,537 yards (6.4 YPC) and 23 total touchdowns.
Kaleb Johnson's NFL comparison
According to Zierlein, Johnson's NFL comparison is Tyler Allgeier.
Follow Tyler Tachman on X@Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com
