What Is Kaleb Johnson's Weakness? A Deep Look At The Iowa RB's Game

For anyone keeping a close watch on the exciting pool of talent heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, Kaleb Johnson's name very often pops up as a truly interesting prospect. He's been talked about as one of the top five running backs in what looks like a very strong class, and his journey from Hamilton High School to becoming a key player for Iowa truly shows a lot of hard work. After a breakout junior season where he piled up impressive rushing numbers—240 carries for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns, that's quite a feat, you know—many are wondering just how high his professional ceiling might be.

It's interesting, because some folks even suggest that if Ashton Jeanty hadn't had such a stellar 2024 season, Kaleb Johnson could very well have been a strong contender for the Doak Walker Award. That really puts his college performance into perspective, doesn't it? He's a big, powerful runner, a real slashing back who brings a great mix of strength, clear vision, and a natural feel for how to run the ball. He seems to be a patient zone runner too, moving smoothly and having a knack for spotting those open lanes. So, with all these good things, it’s only natural to wonder if there are any areas where he might need to polish his game a bit.

As Kaleb Johnson gets ready for his transition to the big leagues, he's been quite open about the parts of his game that need some extra attention. He's not shying away from discussing where he needs to level up, which is a pretty good sign, actually. Even with his aspirations of becoming the Offensive Rookie of the Year, Johnson has wasted no time in pointing out his weakest areas, those parts that really require the most improvement as he steps into the professional football world. So, what exactly are these areas that he and others have identified as needing work? Let's take a closer look, shall we?

• How Much Did Alyssa Milano Make From Charmed
• Was Holly Really Pregnant On Charmed
• What Wrestler Transitioned To A Woman
• Is Wyatt Really Pipers Son
• Why Did Shannen Doherty Get Kicked Out Of 90210

Table of Contents

• Kaleb Johnson: Bio and Personal Details
• The Biggest Challenge: Pass Protection
• Generating Extra Yards and Making Defenders Miss
• Athleticism and Physicality: Matching Size
• Kaleb Johnson's Draft Outlook and Aspirations
• Frequently Asked Questions About Kaleb Johnson

Kaleb Johnson: Bio and Personal Details

Kaleb Johnson's path in football is, in a way, a classic story of a Big Ten running back. He started his football journey at Hamilton High School in Ohio, where he began to show glimpses of the talent that would eventually make him one of Iowa's most productive rushers. His time at Iowa has really cemented his place as a notable college player, and now he's looking to find his professional home. It's pretty cool to see how far he's come, you know?

The Biggest Challenge: Pass Protection

When you ask Kaleb Johnson himself about his game, he’s quite clear about one area that truly needs his full attention: pass protection. He has openly admitted that this part of his skill set is, in fact, his biggest weakness. This isn't just a minor point, either; for a running back making the leap to the NFL, being able to protect the quarterback is absolutely essential. It can often determine how much playing time a back gets, especially in passing situations, because coaches need to trust that their quarterback won't be exposed.

He understands this completely, and it's a big reason why he has made it a point to work on it. Johnson has actually stated that he’s putting in extra time after practice specifically to improve his pass protection skills. This commitment to honing his craft, particularly in an area he identifies as a deficiency, really speaks volumes about his dedication. It shows a level of maturity and a desire to be a truly complete player at the next level, which is something coaches and scouts definitely look for, you know?

• What Illness Did Queen Elizabeth Have Before She Died
• What Is The Biggest Indicator Of Cancer
• Who Dated Who In Real Life On 90210
• Is Roman Reigns Still Suffering From Leukemia
• How Old Is Julian Mcmahon Now

The transition to the NFL means facing bigger, faster, and much stronger defensive players, so a running back's ability to pick up blitzes and hold blocks becomes even more important. It’s not just about running the ball, it's about being a reliable part of the offense in every situation. For Johnson, pass protection will be the biggest challenge he faces in his early days as a professional. He's got to prove he can consistently stand in there and protect his quarterback. This effort he's putting in now, after practice, is pretty much laying the groundwork for that crucial aspect of his pro career. It's a very practical step, and it shows he's serious about addressing what he knows needs work. He’s taking the initiative, which is a good sign for his future prospects.

So, while his running skills are widely praised, the ability to effectively block for his quarterback is something he knows he has to refine. It’s a skill that requires not just strength, but also quick recognition of defensive schemes and proper technique. His candidness about this weakness, and his visible efforts to improve it, suggest he’s on the right track. It's a fundamental part of a running back's job in the NFL, and getting it right could really unlock more opportunities for him on the field. He’s making efforts to improve that, which is really something to watch as he progresses.

Generating Extra Yards and Making Defenders Miss

Another area where Kaleb Johnson's game sometimes draws attention is his tendency to, shall we say, get what is blocked, but rarely generate much more than what is readily available. This means that while he consistently hits the holes and follows his blocks well—a clear sign of his vision and feel for the game—he doesn't always create those jaw-dropping, highlight-reel plays by himself. He’s a big, patient zone runner with a natural feel for reading rushing lanes, and he does a great job of knowing what gaps to attack and when to either cut it back or bounce outside, which is truly valuable.

However, making defenders miss isn't exactly his strongest suit. He won't typically dazzle the opposition with incredible athleticism that allows him to shake off multiple tacklers in open space. While he has elite vision, which helps him find the path of least resistance, he isn't the type of back who will consistently break multiple tackles after initial contact or juke defenders out of their shoes in the secondary. This isn't to say he can't gain tough yards, because he certainly can, but rather that his game is more about maximizing what's given to him by the offensive line and his own excellent vision, rather than consistently manufacturing significant gains out of nothing. It's a subtle distinction, but an important one for NFL scouts looking for backs who can turn a two-yard gain into a ten-yard gain all by themselves, you know?

This characteristic means that while he's incredibly reliable and efficient, particularly in a zone blocking scheme, he might not be the kind of runner who frequently creates big plays purely through individual brilliance outside of the designed run. He's very good at seeing the play develop and hitting the correct lane, which is a fantastic skill, but his ability to escape from sticky situations or to make defenders look silly in space is, arguably, not his forte. This isn't necessarily a fatal flaw, as many successful NFL backs are known for their consistency and vision rather than their elusiveness. Still, it's an aspect of his game that's been noted, and it's something that teams will consider when evaluating his fit into their offensive scheme. He gets what's blocked, and that's a good thing, but the extra yardage often comes from scheme or his initial read, not always from breaking multiple tackles.

Athleticism and Physicality: Matching Size

Another observation about Kaleb Johnson is that he won't necessarily dazzle opponents with pure, raw athleticism. While he possesses good movement traits and is a long-striding back, he isn't known for explosive bursts or sudden changes of direction that might leave defenders grasping at air. His running style is more about power, vision, and patience, rather than relying on elite speed or agility to escape tackles. This isn't a knock on his effectiveness, as his 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns clearly show he's incredibly effective, but it means his game relies on different strengths. He’s a big back, after all, and his success comes from that combination of strength and feel for the game.

Interestingly, there's also been a point made that his physicality and running demeanor didn't always match his size, especially earlier in his college career. Johnson himself has admitted that he ran too timid early on. This is a common thing for young players, to be honest. However, he made a significant change ahead of his breakout junior season: he committed to running more physically. This shift was a conscious effort, and it clearly paid off. He transformed from a back who might have been hesitant to fully utilize his frame into a true power back who embraces contact and runs with purpose. That’s a really important development, as it means he’s willing to adapt and improve.

So, while he might not have the kind of athleticism that consistently creates highlight-reel evasions, his commitment to running with greater physicality has truly enhanced his overall game. It shows a player who can identify a weakness—in this case, his own running style—and actively work to correct it. This kind of self-awareness and dedication to improvement is a very positive sign for his professional future. He’s learned to use his size effectively, which is a powerful asset in the NFL, where tough yards are often needed. It's pretty clear he's made strides in this area, which is great to see.

Kaleb Johnson's Draft Outlook and Aspirations

Despite these identified areas for improvement, Kaleb Johnson is still widely considered one of the top five prospects in a very talented 2025 running back class. His strengths—his size, vision, power, and feel as a runner—are highly valued. He's a big, slashing power back who really knows how to attack gaps, and he's got that patient zone runner quality that NFL teams often look for. His ability to read the field and find the right lanes is, quite frankly, elite, and that's a hard thing to teach.

His draft prospects, however, might be living a bit in the shadow of other running back peers at bigger schools, especially those in more potent offenses, like Ashton Jeanty. While Johnson's individual performance was outstanding, the overall offensive environment he played in might cause some evaluators to question how much of his production was due to his own talent versus the scheme or competition. This is a common consideration for players from certain programs, you know. But Kaleb Johnson’s time to shine in the draft process is coming, and he’s ready for it.

He's got big goals, too. Johnson has offensive rookie of the year aspirations on his mind, which tells you a lot about his confidence and drive. As he transitions into the NFL, he’s been remarkably candid about where he needs to level up his game. At rookie minicamp, he emphasized his commitment to honing his skills, particularly in those weaker areas. This self-awareness and proactive approach to improvement are very positive indicators for his professional development. He's not just hoping to be better; he's actively working on it, taking time after practice and making conscious changes to his running style, which is very admirable. He’s set to find his professional home, and it will be interesting to see how he continues to develop.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kaleb Johnson

Is Kaleb Johnson a good pass protector?

Based on his own admission, Kaleb Johnson has pointed out that pass protection is his weakness. He has made it clear he’s taking time after practice to work on that and is making efforts to improve this area. It will be the biggest challenge for him in his early professional career, but he's dedicated to honing it.

What are Kaleb Johnson's biggest NFL challenges?

His biggest challenge as he moves to the NFL will be pass protection. Additionally, consistently generating yards beyond what is blocked and making defenders miss are areas where he typically doesn't excel. His athleticism won't dazzle, and early in his college career, his physicality didn't always match his size, though he has since committed to running more physically.

How does Kaleb Johnson compare to other 2025 running backs?

Kaleb Johnson is widely viewed as one of the top five prospects in a talented 2025 running back class. He's considered a big, slashing power back with elite vision. However, his draft prospects may be living in the shadow of peers like Ashton Jeanty and other running backs from bigger schools in more potent offenses, even though he had a breakout junior season.

Learn more about running back prospects on our site, and link to this page for more NFL Draft insights.

For additional details on Kaleb Johnson's college career and statistics, you might check out his player profile on a reputable sports statistics site, like ESPN's college football page.

This article was created on October 26, 2023.