In 2024, Iowa junior running back Kaleb Johnson posted one of the most successful seasons in program history. In Iowa's 12 regular season games, Johnson took 240 carries for 1,537 yards and 21 scores, while adding 22 catches for 188 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Thanks to those record-breaking numbers, the Ohio-native was selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Replacing him this fall in Iowa City won't be easy.
The Hawkeyes had to replace Johnson's position coach this spring as well, as Ladell Betts left for the New York Giants. Omar Young, who was hired in March this year, has taken over the group after spending several seasons in the NFL, most recently with the New England Patriots.
"I'm fired up to be here with the group of guys that I'm with," Young said in his first media availability in April. "It's a good blend of having the same mindset [in the room], but having different view points so we can all add value to making this the best situation we can make it."
Lucky for Young, the Hawkeyes not only hold the same values, but they possesses a stable of running backs that are set to compete for each and every snap this fall. Between the experience of third and fourth year tailbacks Kamari Moulton, Jaziun Patterson and Terrell Washington, the position is in good hands.
"I think we compliment each other really well," Moulton, who is expected to be at the top of the depth chart this fall, said. "We have different abilities to do things. If I can't do something, TJ and Jaz can pick it up, and we all want to see each other be great."
"It's crazy how eerily similar [Kamari and **Aaron Jones**] are," Young said earlier this spring. "You just put the tape on. He's got some work to do before truly getting in that breath, but he's on his way to becoming his own person. too."
Moulton is the leading returning rusher from last season, after he took 84 carries for 473 yards and three scores. He showed the potential as an every down back to potentially carry the majority of the load this coming season.
Kamari Moulton 38 yds to the 3 pic.twitter.com/IvBlTSxeS6
— Heavens! (@HeavensFX) December 30, 2024
He'll have help from Washington through the air, who was converted to wide receiver for part last season and showed some playmaking ability as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Though he posted just 12 carries for 34 yards in 2024, he also snagged six passes for 33 yards and a touchdown.
"I feel like that helps me the most," Washington said of his positional versatility. "It helps me read the coverages, it helps me all over. ... I can play both. I can block, I can do anything to make a play."
Patterson, the most experienced running back in the room, serves more as a battering ram out of the backfield.
"Showing power is definitely something that I primarily do as a running back," Patterson said on Wednesday. "I'm up to 210 pounds now, too. I was 185 pounds when I got here. ... I'm trying to add some jukes to my bag, too."
Iowa RB Jaziun Patterson (@J4thegreat2) accelerated to 19.7 mph on this explosive run. #ReelSpeed
?: @CFBONFOX
? https://t.co/orrD059ykP pic.twitter.com/DiIGlcaMrr
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) September 11, 2023
Young will lean on his experience coaching at the college level and in the NFL to push the group of talented backs forward.
"I think all the experiences of seeing so many different ways and styles of backs to do it has been super beneficial," Young said of his coaching experience. "I go back to my time in Green Bay when we drafted Aaron Jones and Jamaal Willams. Those two -- different kinds of styles, but we made it work. So, relying on all of those different experiences has been helpful."
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