Kaleb Johnson, Iowa: 2025 NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Johnson was a three-star recruit from Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Ohio in the class of 2022
Kaleb Johnson exploded onto the scene for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2024. He relies heavily on power and contact balance but also displays the vision and initial burst to stress defenses on longer plays. Johnson projects as a Day 2 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Kaleb Johnson, RB Iowa: 2025 NFL Draft Profile
Classification: Junior running back from Hamilton, Ohio
Background: Johnson was a three-star recruit from Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Ohio in the class of 2022. He was the No. 435 recruit according to 247Sports and No. 421 for On3.com. Johnson was an unranked four-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 78 grade out of 100. He originally committed to Cal before flipping to Iowa. Johnson lettered three times in high school. He carried the ball 155 times for 1,004 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior and 114 times for 786 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior. Johnson earned First Team All-State honors during that senior campaign and First Team All-Conference honors as a junior. He ran 141 times for 878 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore and was an All-Conference honorable mention. Johnson served as a team captain as a senior and junior. He also competed in basketball and track. Johnson was born on August 14, 2003.
Injuries & Off-Field: Missed three games in 2023 while battling an ankle injury
Awards: 2022 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten, 2022 Honorable Mention Freshman All-American (CFN), 2024 First Team All-Big Ten, 2024 Second Team All-American (Associated Press), 2024 First Team All-American (FWAA, Phil Steele, Sporting News, Walter Camp)
Pros: Cut down on fumbles in 2024, good size and mass, impressive and controlled footwork, superb vision reveals cutback lanes, makes quick and correct decisions navigating between the tackles, patience as a runner, presses close to the o-line while the lane develops, contact balance, lowers pad level between the tackles, fearless between the tackles, takes a hit in the hole and keeps running, churns legs through contact, makes surprisingly sharp cuts for his size, sharp cuts upfield, some nice jump cuts and side steps while near top speed, excellent open field vision, tempos runs to let blocks develop, sets up and uses blocks well in space, better burst to out-leverage second level defenders than given credit for, drops his shoulder to bury DBs, stiff arm, spin move, head and shoulder fakes, finishing plays falling forward, hustles downfield to block for teammates, good recognition of threats in pass pro, vision to spot and track second level blitzers, stays square and delivers good power in pass pro, limited drops
Cons: Somewhat high-hipped, pad level, chopped down low, limited upside when hit before he starts churning downhill, lacks the agility to make corrections in a phone booth behind the LOS, doesn’t hit the hole with high level burst, lacks elite top speed, caught from behind, doesn’t erase many angles, not twitchy, limited elusiveness, some tightness limits lateral explosiveness, lackluster receiving production, limited route tree, troubles sustaining blocks in pass pro
Overview: Johnson sports an impressive frame with the size and mass to contend with muddy NFL boxes. He’s slightly high-hipped, which contributes to his inconsistent pad level and makes him vulnerable on low tackle attempts. Johnson’s footwork and vision guide him to cutback lanes and assist with making quick decisions. His processing on runs between the offensive tackles ranks among the best in the class. On slower developing plays, Johnson shows patience and presses close to the line before accelerating into the hole. He lacks the agility and twitch to make defenders miss in the backfield and struggles to get creative on broken plays. The junior fearlessly lowers his pad level between the tackles and doesn’t mind taking on contact in the alley. He runs through defenders fitting his gap with his impressive contact balance and leg drive. Johnson makes some surprisingly sharp cuts for a running back with his size, including near full speed jump cuts and side steps. However, the natural tightness in his frame limits his lateral explosiveness. The Ohio native’s open field vision helps him set up blockers in space and alter his tempo to find the best angles. He lacks high-end burst and doesn’t show much when entering the hole. Johnson turns on the juice once he sees daylight and displays enough burst to out-leverage some linebackers. He lacks the speed to finish long runs, and defenders frequently catch him from behind. Johnson’s ability to erase angles is inconsistent at best. He lacks the twitch and elusiveness to make defenders miss in space consistently but possesses the power to generate yards after contact. The All-American drops his shoulder to demolish defensive backs and also deploys effective stiff arms and spins. He uses shoulder and head fakes to shake defenders for a few extra yards and finishes plays falling forward. Johnson is a limited asset on third downs. He’s underdeveloped as a pass catcher but possesses the traits to make an impact in pass protection. Johnson struggles to sustain blocks but recognizes rush threats and stays square with second level blitzers going into contact.
Overall, Johnson is a punishing running back with polished footwork and vision to maximize what his blockers create. He lacks the elite athleticism and speed to create for himself when plays break down but is a tough runner who fights for extra yards with his contact balance and deceptive open field moves.
Role & Scheme Fit: Inside zone or gap scheme
Round Grade: Early Third Round
Size: 6'0", 225 lbs. (Unofficial)
Submitted: 12-06-24