Check Kaleb Johnson NFL Draft profile here. Built in the Big Ten. Molded by grit. Draft night ready. Kaleb Johnson isn’t flashy. He doesn’t need to be. He’s a throwback — a downhill punisher with modern agility and vision. While the 2025 draft is packed with gadget backs and home-run hitters, Johnson brings violence between the tackles, elite burst through the hole, and old-school toughness that screams NFL-ready.
Buckle up — it’s Kaleb Johnson time. 🐤🖤
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🏫 Hamilton High School: Ohio Roots, Built Different
📍 Hamilton, Ohio (Hamilton High School)
Kaleb Johnson wasn’t a five-star diva. He was a multi-sport grinder with track speed and a linebacker’s mentality. In his final season at Hamilton, he ran for:
- 🏃♂️ 1,334 yards on 156 carries
- 💥 21 total touchdowns
- 🔥 8.6 yards per carry
He also clocked sub-11 in the 100-meter dash and returned kicks. Scouts took notice — he earned a 3-star rating from 247Sports and committed to Iowa over offers from Michigan State, Cincinnati, and Iowa State.
Why Iowa? One word: physicality.
He knew he’d be forged in black and gold. And that’s exactly what happened.
🐤 Iowa: From Freshman Flash to RB1 Force
📘 Freshman Year (2022): Breakout Alert
Kaleb Johnson didn’t wait around. He snatched the starting job mid-season and exploded onto the scene with 763 rushing yards and 6 TDs, averaging 5.2 YPC.
🚨 Notable Game: vs. Purdue
- 22 carries
- 200 YARDS
- 1 TD
- Big Ten Freshman of the Week
He became the first Iowa freshman to rush for 200+ yards since 2001. Coaches raved about his vision, balance, and ability to finish runs like a vet.
Iowa fans knew — this wasn’t just another RB. This was a cornerstone.
📙 Sophomore Year (2023): Adversity & Grit
Injuries (ankle + nagging hip) slowed Johnson early in the year, but he still put up:
- 🧱 603 yards on just 129 carries
- ⚡ 4.7 YPC
- 🚀 4 TDs
Despite Iowa’s offensive struggles (IYKYK), Johnson was a steadying force. Even in a low-output year, he moved the chains, broke tackles, and delivered when the line gave him daylight.
📕 Junior Year (2024): The Bellcow Era
Fully healthy and with a revamped O-line, Johnson delivered:
- 📊 1,244 rushing yards
- 💣 12 rushing TDs
- 🐂 3.8 yards after contact (PFF Top 5)
- 🧱 0 fumbles in 277 touches
Iowa leaned on him like a workhorse — 25+ carries in six games — and he answered the bell every time. His vision sharpened, and he started showing more second-level wiggle, proving he’s not just a thumper.
He declared for the 2025 NFL Draft after finishing top 3 in the Big Ten in rushing — and without question, the most physical RB in the class.
📈 NFL Draft Stock: Where Kaleb Johnson Fits
- Draft Projection: Late 2nd – Early 3rd Round
- Role: Day 1 rotational back with RB1 upside in power schemes
- Comp: Alexander Mattison meets Chris Carson
Scouts love:
- 🔒 Ball security
- 📉 Pad level
- ⛓️ Chain-moving consistency
- 💪 Power finish in short yardage
He’s the kind of back teams trust on 3rd-and-2 — and that matters. While flashier backs get headlines, Johnson’s name keeps rising on boards after strong interviews and testing.
🧠 Best NFL Team Fits
🟢 Green Bay Packers – Need a tough back to replace AJ Dillon? Enter Johnson.
🟣 Baltimore Ravens – That scheme + Johnson’s style = 🔥. He could fill the Gus Edwards role — but younger, cheaper, and more explosive.
🟢 New York Jets – Complement to Breece Hall. He can keep drives alive and protect leads.
🔵 Chicago Bears – They love hard-nosed backs. Johnson fits their identity to a tee.
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
🆚 2025 RB Class Comparison
| Player | Style | Projection | Draft Range |
| Ashton Jeanty | Shifty/Receiving Back | RB1 Ceiling | Top 15 |
| Omarion Hampton | Balanced/3-down | Versatile Workhorse | Late 1st–2nd |
| TreVeyon Henderson | Speed/Agility | Explosive Big-Play Guy | 2nd Round |
| Kaleb Johnson | Power/Grind | Chain-Mover, Goal-Line Threat | Late 2nd–3rd |
Bottom line? Kaleb’s not flashy — but he might be the safest bet to earn a second NFL contract.
💸 NFL Draft Betting Odds: Kaleb Johnson Props
Let’s talk money. Bettors are locking in on Kaleb as a mid-round RB value pick.
🧠 Draft Position Over/Under (DraftKings)
- O/U 78.5
- Under: +105
- Over: -120
📈 Line’s moved from 85.5 → 78.5 after Senior Bowl buzz. Sharps think he could sneak into late Round 2.
🥇 First Running Back Drafted (Longshot Value)
- Ashton Jeanty: -5000
- Omarion Hampton: +3000
- Kaleb Johnson: +6000
👀 Not likely, but… if teams sour on Jeanty’s size or Hampton slips? Johnson’s physicality makes him an intriguing shock-the-draft candidate.
🏈 Team to Draft Kaleb Johnson (FanDuel/Fanatics)
- Ravens: +300
- Packers: +400
- Jets: +650
- Bears: +750
- Eagles: +800
🎯 Best Value: Ravens +300 — they draft backs like Johnson in their sleep.
🏁 ClutchBuzz Final Prediction & Betting Picks
Prediction:
🎯 Kaleb Johnson goes Round 3, Pick 70 to the Baltimore Ravens.
Harbaugh gets a reliable, no-nonsense back to plug into his offense Day 1.
🔐 Betting Picks:
- ✅ Under 78.5 draft position (+105)
- 🎯 Ravens to draft Johnson (+300)
- 🤯 Exact pick #70 (if available)
🗣 Final Word: Most Underrated RB in the Draft?
Kaleb Johnson might not break Twitter on draft night, but he’ll break tackles come September.
- ✅ Iowa-built toughness
- ✅ Ball security and vision
- ✅ Scheme-proof skillset
- ✅ Value pick for smart teams
For NFL teams looking to pound the rock, and for bettors looking to cash smart props, this is your guy.
Kaleb Johnson? Straight-up pro-ready.
