Johnson Named Doak Walker Finalist

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa junior running back Kaleb Johnson has been honored as a finalist for the 2024 Doak Walker Award, it was announced Tuesday by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum.

In its 33rd year, the award is named after SMU’s three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. The other finalists are Ashton Jeanty of Boise State and Omarion Hampton of North Carolina.

Johnson, who is also a Walter Camp and Maxwell semifinalist, is having a record-breaking year for the Hawkeyes. He has posted school single-season records in points (132), total touchdowns (22) and rushing scores (21). Johnson has rushed for 1,492 yards in 11 games in 2024, the second-most in the country and third most in program history.

“Greatness. I’m chasing greatness.”

Kaleb Johnson already owns the @HawkeyeFootball single-season rush TD record, but he’s just getting started.@BTNJourney features the star RB 👇

📍 @AutoOwnersIns pic.twitter.com/JGHkKvYM2A

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 19, 2024

The native of Hamilton, Ohio, has scored at least one touchdown in 11 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.

He is joined as a Doak finalist by Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton.  The 2024 Doak Walker Award honoree will be announced Dec. 12.

Former Hawkeye Shonn Greene was the recipient of the 2008 Doak Walker Award.

Iowa (7-4, 5-3) returns to action Friday, hosting Nebraska (6-5, 3-5) in the Pioneer Heroes Game. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CT) on Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium. The game will be televised on NBC and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network.

Kaleb Johnson | National Rankings
Rushing Yards Per Game: 2nd (135.6)
Total Points scored: 4th (132)
Rushing Touchdowns: 4th (21)
Total Touchdowns: 4th (22)
All-Purpose Yards: 7th (146.1)
Rush Yards Per Carry: 9th (6.7)

Kaleb Johnson | 2024 Honors
Doak Walker Award Finalist
Maxwell Award Semifinalist
Walter Camp National POY Award Semifinalist
CBS Sports, Sporting News, The Athletic Midseason All-America
Doak Walker National RB of the Week (Sept. 24)
Big Ten Co-Offensive POW (Sept. 23)
Big Ten Offensive POW (Nov. 4)
Senior Bowl Co-Offensive National POW (Oct. 14)
UI September Male Athlete of the Month