Kaleb Johnson (running back)

Last updated

Kaleb Johnson
KalebJohnsonSteelers.jpg
Johnson with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025
No. 20 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (2003-08-14) August 14, 2003 (age 22)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:224 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school: Hamilton (Hamilton, Ohio)
College: Iowa (2022–2024)
NFL draft: 2025: 3rd round, 83rd pick
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Kaleb Johnson (born August 14, 2003) is an American professional football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life

Johnson attended Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Ohio. He was rated as a three-star recruit and the 36th overall running back in the class of 2022, receiving 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] Initially, Johnson committed to play college football for the California Golden Bears. [2] However, Johnson decided to flip his commitment to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes. [1]

College career

In his first two seasons in 2022 and 2023, Johnson rushed 268 times for 1,242 yards and nine touchdowns and hauled in seven receptions for 52 yards. [3] [4] In the 2024 season opener, he 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. [5]

Through week 14 of the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season, Johnson was fourth in the FBS in rushing yards (1,537) and scoring (23 touchdowns, 138 points), and fifth in rushing touchdowns (21). [6] [7] After the conclusion of the regular season, Johnson was named first-team all-Big Ten and Big Ten Running Back of the Year, and a consensus first-team All-American. He was also a finalist for the Doak Walker Award. [8] Johnson established single-season records at Iowa for rushing touchdowns and scoring.

Statistics

Iowa Hawkeyes
Season RushingReceivingKick Return
GAttYardsAvgLongTDRecYardsAvgLongTDRetYardsAvgLongTD
2022 131517795.275T64276.81401332525.0420
2023 101174634.067T33258.313027738.5540
2024 122401,5376.475T21221888.572T2000.0–0
Career 355082,7795.575T30292408.372T21540226.8540

Professional career

Johnson (20) with quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2025 KalebJohnsonAaronRodgers.jpg
Johnson (20) with quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2025
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split
6 ft 1 in
(1.85 m)		224 lb
(102 kg)		33 in
(0.84 m)		9+5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		4.57 s1.62 s2.67 s
All values from NFL Combine [9] [10]

Johnson was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 83rd pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft. [11] Johnson received early praise from head coach Mike Tomlin during training camp with Tomlin stating "He’s come in really in good shape. He’s really engaged. Obviously, he’s got some talent." [12]

References

  1. 1 2 Springer, Scott (October 13, 2021). "Hamilton High running back flips from California football to Iowa Hawkeyes". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  2. ↑ Dyer, Mike (June 21, 2021). "Hamilton senior running back Kaleb Johnson verbally commits to the University of California Berkeley". WCPO.com. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  3. ↑ Schultz, Brad (August 31, 2024). "Iowa football running back Kaleb Johnson motivated from first half suspension, delivers with two scores". The Daily Iowan. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  4. ↑ Dochterman, Scott (August 14, 2023). "Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson 'was touched by God' with physicality: How high is his ceiling?". The New York Times. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  5. ↑ Clark, Dave (September 1, 2024). "Kaleb Johnson, Iowa RB from Hamilton, rushes for 119 yards, two TDs in one half". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  6. ↑ "All Conferences Player Rushing Stats 2024". ESPN. November 24, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  7. ↑ Donald, Riley (August 31, 2024). "Iowa running backs Kaleb Johnson, Jaziun Patterson suspended for first half". Hawkeyes Wire. USA Today. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Johnson Named Doak Walker Finalist". University of Iowa Athletics. November 26, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  9. ↑ Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "Kaleb Johnson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Kaleb Johnson College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  11. ↑ Farabaugh, Nick (April 26, 2025). "Pittsburgh Steelers select Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson with third-round pick". The Patriot-News . Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  12. ↑ Benz, Tim (July 25, 2025). "First Call: Mike Tomlin's early praise for Kaleb Johnson; potential trades for Mitch Keller, David Bednar". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
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