IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa junior running back Kaleb Johnson has been recognized as a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award, it was announced Tuesday by the Maxwell Football Club.
The Maxwell Award has been awarded to College Football’s Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert Maxwell for his contributions to the game as a player, sportswriter and official.
Johnson, who is Iowa’s first Maxwell semifinalist since quarterback Ricky Stanzi in 2010, is having a record-breaking year for the Hawkeyes. He has tallied a school-record 126 points this season, via a school-record 21 total touchdowns. Johnson (6-foot-0, 212-pounds) has rushed for 20 scores, which ties Shonn Greene’s single-season record set in 2008. Johnson has rushed for 1,328 yards in 10 games in 2024, the second-most in the country and seventh most in program history.
The native of Hamilton, Ohio, has scored at least one touchdown in 10 straight games — the longest stretch in school history. He has seven games this season with two or more rushing touchdowns, believed to be the most in a single season in program history.
Semifinalist voting for the Maxwell Award begins today and will close on Nov. 23. Three finalists for each award will be announced on Nov. 26 and a finalist round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media.
Iowa is one of seven schools to have at least one Maxwell and Bednarik semifinalists (Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Indiana, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas). Hawkeye linebacker Jay Higgins was selected as a Bednarik Award semifinalist.
Iowa (6-4, 4-3) returns to action Saturday, Nov. 23 at Maryland. Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m. (CT) in College Park, Maryland. The game will be televised on BTN and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network.
Kaleb Johnson | National Rankings
Total Touchdowns: 2nd (21)
Rushing Yards Per Game: 2nd (132.8)
Rushing Touchdowns: 3rd (20)
Total Points scored: 3rd (126)
Rush Yards Per Carry: 6th (7.06)
All-Purpose Yards: 8th (143.7)
Kaleb Johnson | 2024 Honors
Maxwell Award Semifinalist
Doak Walker Award Watch List
CBS Sports, Sporting News, The Athletic Midseason All-America
Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week (Sept. 24)
Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 23)
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 4)
Senior Bowl Co-Offensive National Player of the Week (Oct. 14)
UI September Male Athlete of the Month