IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa kicker Drew Stevens and running back Kaleb Johnson have been named to the College Football News Freshman All-America team. The announcement was made Tuesday by College Football News.
Stevens was named second-team Freshman All-America, while Johnson earned honorable mention recognition on the team that included both redshirt and first-year freshmen. Both Stevens and Johnson are true freshmen.
Stevens (6-foot, 180), who was named second-team All-Big Ten by conference media and third team by league coaches, leads the team in scoring with 69 points after making 16-of-18 field goal and all 21 PAT attempts. The North Augusta, South Carolina, native was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, one of just two freshmen to make the semifinal list.
His 16 field goals are the most by an Iowa freshman all-time (passing Mike Meyer and Nate Kaeding). Stevens made both of his attempts from beyond 50 yards, with his 54-yarder against Northwestern ranking as seventh-longest in program history. He connected from 51 yards in Iowa’s win at Rutgers.
During Iowa’s 33-13 win over Northwestern, Stevens had a career-best four field goals, connecting from 29, 24, 54 and 25 yards to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. Stevens also handles kickoff duties, recording 29 touchbacks on 51 kickoffs.
Johnson (6-0, 212) earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors from both the media and coaches after setting an Iowa freshman rushing record with 762 rushing yards and scoring a team-high six touchdowns. The Hamilton, Ohio, native also averaged 25 yards on 13 kickoff returns.
During Iowa’s 24-3 road win at Purdue, Johnson rushed 22 times for 200 yards and one touchdown en route to being named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and Big Ten Freshman of the Week. It was the 18th-best rushing performance in program history, the second-most by a Hawkeye freshman all-time (Marcus Coker, 219 vs. Missouri, Insight Bowl) and the first by an Iowa player since 2015.
Johnson’s touchdown came on a 75-yard run on the second play of the third quarter to give the Hawkeyes a 24-3 advantage. He also rushed for more than 100 yards against Nevada (7-103-2 TDs) and Nebraska (16-109-1) during the regular season.
Iowa (7-5, 5-4) will meet Kentucky in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl on Dec. 31 in Nashville, Tennessee.
