Iowa Football Position Preview: RB

Kaleb Johnson Leads talented Stable in Backfield

Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson poses for a photo at the team's annual media day on Aug. 11, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Rob Howe/HawkeyeNation.com)

Kaleb Johnson made a statement in Iowa’s backfield as a true freshman.

Johnson set the program’s freshman rushing record with 779 yards. His 200-yard game against Purdue was the second-highest single-game total for a freshman in the program’s history.

Now he gets set to build on that this season at the top of Iowa’s depth chart at running back.

He knows what he wants to do.

“The same thing, except with more impact,” he said. I have more confidence in myself. The first year I was just running the ball, but now I’m confident and just ready to dominate.”

Johnson averaged 5.2 yards per carry, almost double what the Hawkeyes averaged per carry last season. For Iowa’s offense to improve, Johnson’s production will have to have a similar consistency.

And now that he’s a season older, Johnson hopes to have more of an impact in Iowa’s passing game as well.

“If I knew all about the slot routes (last season), I could have scored a lot from the slot,” said Johnson, who had just four receptions for 27 yards. “I could have scored a lot from coming out the back field.

“As far as receiving, that’s been my big thing this year; getting a lot of receiving yards, showing people that I can catch too, not just run the ball. Because everybody can run the ball, that’s easy and simple. I just want to add another attribute to my game and show people what I can actually do with the ball.”

“He's still young. He's still learning,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “He's got so much ability, and he's doing well. I don't mean to say it in a disparaging way, but he still has a lot more there, like just little things.”

The talent is there, and now there’s some experience. It’s why Johnson wants to expand his game.

“My route running and my pass blocking. Just those two things,” he said. “I just need to learn how to be an all-around back and that’s my focus right now.”

Leshon Williams is just as talented. The junior rushed for 412 yards and two touchdowns last season, and had 11 catches for 78 yards. He figures to get plenty of carries as well.

“Leshon is practicing about as good as I've seen him ever right now,” Ferentz said. “Like, he's really doing well.”

Jaziun Patterson showed flashes of his talent last season as a freshman, rushing for 47 yards on 14 carries. His 17-yard run against Kentucky in the Music City Bowl showed his speed and his explosiveness, and he figures to get more carries this season.

The Hawkeyes are going to need a fullback, and Hayden Large brings his experience into that position.

Large, a transfer from Dordt College, played as a tight end, but after getting to Iowa City came out of spring practice at No. 1 on the depth chart at fullback.

Large, at 6-foot-5, is not the prototypical fullback.

“His biggest challenge is getting leverage,” Ferentz said. “That's the disadvantage of being tall. But if you can bend a little bit, which he can, it's a matter of learning how to play, and it's true at every position. Height can be an advantage or disadvantage.

“We all have our own challenges, and you figure out what works for you and how do you really make that go. But he's been willing. He's a smart guy, and quite frankly, he just ended up here. I can't remember the whole story. But I'm glad he's here, and I certainly didn't envision him being a fullback, and it looks like a good path for him, so it's a pleasant surprise for us.”