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: 12/20/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (70%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.4 DOB: 08/14/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | |
| Last Updated: 12/20/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (70%*) | |
| Age: 21.4 DOB: 08/14/2003 | |
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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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87% |
| Break Tackles: |
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91% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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65% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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62% |
| 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) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trey Benson - Florida State |
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74% |
| Tyler Allgeier - BYU |
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73% |
| Tank Bigsby - Auburn |
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72% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Kaleb Johnson, a junior running back from Iowa, has emerged as one of the nation's top rushers in the 2024 season. The Hamilton, Ohio native set Iowa's freshman rushing record with 779 yards in 2022 and followed it up with a solid sophomore campaign despite missing time due to injury. Johnson's powerful 6'0", 225-pound frame and decisive running style have made him a focal point of Iowa's offense.Through his first three seasons, Johnson amassed 1,927 rushing yards on 350 carries, ranking 17th in program history. He became just the fifth player in Iowa history to record multiple 200+ yard rushing games. Johnson's freshman season was particularly impressive, as he rushed for 200 yards against Purdue, the second-highest single-game total by an Iowa freshman.
Johnson's junior year has been nothing short of spectacular. Through the first four games of the 2024 season, he leads the nation with 685 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. His 8.4 yards per carry average and big-play ability have elevated Iowa's offense, with Johnson recording nine runs of 25+ yards and two runs of 50+ yards in just four games.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Excellent vision and decisiveness, hits the hole with authority, and rarely hesitates
- Bowling ball runner with a low center of gravity consistently falls forward for extra yardage
- Exhibits good initial burst and acceleration, gets to top speed quickly
- Scheme versatile, effective in both gap and zone running systems
- Workhorse back with the ability to shoulder a heavy load, doesn't wear down late in games
- Patient runner who sets up blocks well, allows plays to develop before attacking
- Contact balance is a plus, routinely breaks arm tackles and stays on his feet through traffic
- Solid hands out of the backfield, can be used in the screen game
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Long speed is good, not great; can be caught from behind on longer runs
- Pass pro technique needs refinement, struggles to anchor against larger rushers
- North-south runner who sometimes misses cutback opportunities, limited lateral agility
- Route tree out of the backfield is basic, not a mismatch in the passing game
- Pad level can get high at times, especially when fatigued
Scouting Report: Summary
Johnson has the tools to be an early-down banger at the next level, with the potential to develop into a three-down back. His vision and decisiveness in the hole are his calling cards, allowing him to maximize yardage in tight spaces. In the NFL, he projects best in a zone-blocking scheme where he can use his one-cut ability to exploit defensive overpursuit.While not possessing elite breakaway speed, Johnson's combination of power and burst makes him a consistent chain-mover and red zone threat. His ability to wear down defenses over four quarters will be attractive to teams looking to establish a physical rushing attack. However, he'll need to improve his pass protection and receiving skills to become a true every-down back in the pros.
Johnson's production against Big Ten competition and his physical running style suggest he can be a contributor in an NFL backfield rotation from day one. With continued development in the passing game, he has the upside to become a feature back for a run-heavy offense. His durability and experience in a pro-style system should ease his transition to the next level.
How other scouting services rate Kaleb Johnson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
45.9
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.