Kaleb Johnson: The Hawkeye Workhorse The man who put the "Offense" back in Iowa Football As of February 22, 2026, Kaleb Johnson stands as the most explosive running back of the Kirk Ferentz era. Before being selected 83rd overall in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Johnson spent three years in Iowa City rewriting the record books. While Iowa has always been known for "Punt to Win" and elite defense, Johnson turned 2024 into a highlight reel that forced the national media to actually watch the Hawkeyes' offense. His 2024 Junior season was nothing short of legendary. After a frustrating, injury-riddled sophomore year, Johnson exploded for 1,537 rushing yards, finishing 4th in the nation and proving he was the "real deal" against elite Big Ten defenses. His blend of 225-pound power and 4.47 speed made him a nightmare in Iowa’s zone-run scheme. Though his 2025 rookie season in Pittsburgh was a developmental "growing pains" year (69 rushing yards), Hawkeye fans will always ...