Iowa Hawkeyes Running Backs Look to Spring Practice with Wealth of Experience

Hawkeyes have wealth of experience ahead of spring practices

Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson (2) goes head to head with Purdue’s Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Sanoussi Kane (21) during Iowa’s home football game against Purdue on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)

IOWA CITY — At Iowa’s running back position, athletes’ on-ramp for on-field results has been especially quick in recent years.

The Hawkeyes’ second-leading rusher last year was a sophomore, and the No. 3 rusher was a redshirt freshman. The year before saw a true freshman lead the team in rushing yards.

As far back as 2021, a then-redshirt freshman (Gavin Williams) was the No. 2 rusher behind NFL-bound back Tyler Goodson.

Iowa might not need as many contributions from underclassmen in 2024, though, considering the wealth of experience projected to be on the roster. Here is an early look at how Iowa’s running back position stands with about a month until spring practices begin:

Who’s gone

Iowa did not lose any running backs from the 2023 roster, making it one of the deepest positions on the 2024 roster. (However, especially considering Iowa is seven spots over the scholarship limit, it is possible to see some attrition at the position via the transfer portal.)

Who’s back

Leshon Williams, Kaleb Johnson and Jaziun Patterson are the Hawkeyes’ clear top-three options. Williams had the best year out of the trio with 821 rushing yards while averaging 4.8 yards per carry. The Chicago native will be the only senior on the 2024 roster.

Johnson, who will be a junior in 2024, had 463 rushing yards while averaging 4.0 yards per carry in 2023. Both numbers are significant setbacks from a standout true freshman season in 2022, when he had 779 yards and 5.2 yards per carry.

Patterson played in 11 games and averaged 3.6 yards per carry. The redshirt freshman was particularly impressive against Iowa State, when he had a 59-yard carry on the Hawkeyes’ opening drive. He finished that game with 10 carries for 86 yards.

Kamari Moulton and Terrell Washington both played in four games as true freshmen in 2023 while retaining their redshirt years. The biggest obstacle for playing time will be the three players ahead of them on the depth chart.

Walk-ons expected to return include Cedar Rapids native Max White, who scored a touchdown late in Iowa’s win over Western Michigan. Fullbacks Hayden Large, Rusty VanWetzinga and Eli Miller also are expected to return in 2024.

Who’s joining the mix

Iowa added two scholarship running backs — Brevin Doll from Adel and Xavier Williams from Saint John, Ind. — as part of its 2024 high school recruiting class. Both prospects have three-star ratings from 247Sports.

Way-too-early two-deep projections

With the entire position group slated to return in 2024, there are not any surprises in The Gazette’s pre-spring two-deep projections:

Halfback

Fullback

Outlook

Iowa appears to have no shortage of talent at running back ahead of 2024 spring practices. Williams, Johnson and Patterson all have shown the ability, albeit to varying extents, to be playmakers for the offense.

If Iowa retains all three aforementioned backs, the Hawkeyes would have spectacular depth at the position. Even if one leaves, the Hawkeyes still would be in great shape.

The biggest question mark for Iowa’s running backs is what happens everywhere else. Outside factors — a passing game that keeps defenses honest and further development on the offensive line, to name a couple — will play a large part in determining how much the running backs can accomplish in 2024.

Editor’s note: This is the fifth of a nine-part series breaking down where each Iowa football position group stands at this point in the offseason.

Iowa football offseason winter position breakdowns

• Quarterback

• Tight ends

• Defensive line

• Special teams

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2024-02-21 12:30:00
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