All Sports Schedule
Kaleb JohnsonKaleb Johnson
Football

Johnson Picked by Pittsburgh in 3rd Round of NFL Draft

by Matthew Weitzel

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- University of Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson will stay in the black and gold after being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of Friday's NFL Draft. Johnson was the 83rd player picked overall.

The Hamilton, Ohio, native is the third running back selected in the Kirk Ferentz era, joining Ladell Betts (Round 2, 2022) and Shonn Greene (Round 3, 2009).  

Johnson is the 10th Iowa running back drafted in the top three rounds in program history, joining Nile Kinnick (Round 2, 1940), Tom Farmer (Round 2, 1943), Bob Jeter (Round 2, 1960), Ed Podolak (Round 2, 1969), Jim Jensen (Round 2, 1976), Ronnie Harmon (Round 1, 1986), Nick Bell (Round 2, 1991), Betts and Greene.

"He has great size and is a downhill runner. I think (Kaleb) is a really good fit for the Steelers."

ESPN Analyst Nick Saban

As a junior in 2024, Johnson earned consensus All-America honors and was voted the Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year. The Doak Walker Award finalist and Maxwell and Walter Camp semifinalist rushed for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns in 12 games -- the third-most rushing yards in a season in program history.

He finished the 2024 campaign with program records in single-season points (138), total touchdowns (23) and rushing scores (21). He scored a touchdown in every game -- the longest streak in program history -- and had multiple touchdowns in seven games, which is believed to be a school record.

Johnson finished the season ranking sixth nationally, averaging 128.1 yards on 20 attempts per game, which included 20 rushes of 20+ yards. He ranked fourth nationally in scoring (11.5), sixth in total touchdowns (23) and 12th in yards per carry (6.4).

Pittsburgh won 10 games a year ago finishing second in the AFC North. It marks the second straight year the Steelers drafted a Hawkeye (DT Logan Lee in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft).

Iowa has had at least one player drafted in every NFL Draft since 1978. Johnson is the 90th player coached by Kirk Ferentz at the University of Iowa to be selected in the NFL Draft.