Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs to the endzone to score a touchdown as Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Mikai Gbayor (42) trails Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Kaleb Johnson RB Iowa | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Kaleb Johnson RB Iowa
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/19/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (70%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.6 DOB: 08/14/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | |
| Last Updated: 02/19/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (70%*) | |
| Age: 21.6 DOB: 08/14/2003 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 86.8 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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86% |
| Break Tackles: |
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91% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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65% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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44% |
| Run Blocking: |
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60% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Early
Overall Rank:
#39
Position rank:
#3
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| College Games: 34 College Snaps: 879 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
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247 RATING: 88/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Zach Charbonnet - UCLA |
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75% |
| Tank Bigsby - Auburn |
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68% |
| ZaQuandre White - South Carolina |
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67% |
Draft Profile: Bio
From his early days at Hamilton High School in Ohio to becoming one of Iowa's most prolific rushers, Kaleb Johnson's journey epitomizes the classic Big Ten power back evolution. The former three-star recruit arrived in Iowa City without much fanfare but quickly established himself as a force, breaking the Hawkeyes' freshman rushing record with 779 yards in 2022. His trajectory shot upward in 2024 when he exploded for 1,537 yards and set single-season school records with 23 total touchdowns and 21 rushing scores.At 6'0", 225 pounds, Johnson authored one of the most dominant rushing seasons in Iowa history, becoming just the fifth Hawkeye to record multiple 200+ yard games. His 2024 campaign featured eight 100+ yard performances, including a masterful 206-yard eruption against Minnesota. The physical specimen joined rare company as one of just four Big Ten backs in the last decade to string together four consecutive games of 100+ yards and multiple touchdowns.
The accolades poured in during his final season as Johnson earned first-team All-America honors from multiple outlets and was named the Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year. His 2,779 career rushing yards rank sixth in program history, placing him alongside Iowa legends like Sedrick Shaw and Shonn Greene. Perhaps most impressively, Johnson's 6.4 yards per carry in 2024 led the Big Ten while his 1,537 rushing yards ranked seventh nationally.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Masterful tempo control behind the line - presses holes with practiced patience before hitting the crease with explosive decisiveness that keeps defenders guessing
- Devastating plant-and-go ability for a back his size - showcased repeatedly against Minnesota with three scores including a 40-yard home run
- Natural forward lean and low pad level allow him to consistently fall forward, turning 2-yard gains into 5-yard chunks that wear down defensive fronts
- Exceptional vision to set up blocks - manipulates second-level defenders with subtle hesitations before exploding through running lanes
- Runs with controlled violence through contact, consistently breaking arm tackles while maintaining balance through traffic
- Shows impressive burst to and through the hole - hit 21 runs of 20+ yards in 2024 despite facing stacked boxes
- Reliable hands in the screen game - demonstrated with a 72-yard catch and run against Nebraska that showcased his open-field ability
- Battle-tested workhorse who gets stronger as games progress - averaged 5.8 yards per carry in fourth quarters during 2024 season
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Top-end speed is merely good not great - got caught from behind on several potential home runs including a notable instance against Michigan State
- Pass protection technique needs significant refinement - tends to lead with his shoulder instead of establishing a proper base and punch
- Limited creativity once initial running lane is clogged - lacks the lateral agility to consistently create something out of nothing
- Route tree consists primarily of swings and checkdowns - needs development as a route runner to become a true three-down weapon
- Can get too narrow through the hole at times, limiting his ability to make quick lateral adjustments when penetration disrupts the play
Scouting Report: Summary
Johnson has legitimate feature back potential in a gap/power scheme where his combination of vision, decisive cuts, and finishing power will make him an immediate impact player. The former Hawkeye brings a pro-ready frame with the kind of one-cut explosiveness through the hole that has NFL offensive coordinators salivating. His development as a receiver - highlighted by that 72-yard catch and run against Nebraska - shows he's just scratching the surface of his three-down potential.What really jumps off the tape is Johnson's ability to maintain his explosive burst deep into games, a rare trait that separates good backs from great ones. His 2024 tape against Minnesota (206 yards) and Maryland (35 carries, 164 yards) showcased a back who actually gets stronger as defenses wear down. With his natural forward lean and impressive contact balance, he's got feature back written all over him. The film shows a runner who consistently creates chunk plays even against loaded boxes, evidenced by his 21 runs of 20+ yards in 2024.
A smart team will snag him in the second round and plug him in as their RB1 from day one. His combination of size, vision, and proven production against elite competition makes him one of the safer picks in this class. While he may need some early down spelling as he develops his pass protection, Johnson has all the tools to be a 1,200+ yard rusher who dominates in the red zone and wears defenses down in the fourth quarter. This is the kind of back who will make his offensive line look better and help control games in December.
How other scouting services rate Kaleb Johnson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
51.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
3.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.