University of Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson has been selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the NFL Draft. Johnson, who was picked 83rd overall, will continue to wear black and gold.
Johnson, from Hamilton, Ohio, becomes the third running back selected during Kirk Ferentz’s tenure at Iowa, following Ladell Betts and Shonn Greene. He is also the 10th Iowa running back drafted in the top three rounds in program history.
In his junior year in 2024, Johnson earned consensus All-America honors and was named the Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year. As a Doak Walker Award finalist and Maxwell and Walter Camp semifinalist, he rushed for 1,537 yards and scored 21 touchdowns over 12 games. This performance ranked him third for most rushing yards in a season in Iowa’s program history.
Johnson set program records with single-season points (138), total touchdowns (23), and rushing scores (21). He scored at least one touchdown in every game, setting a new record for longest streak in program history. His season statistics included an average of 128.1 yards on 20 attempts per game and ranking sixth nationally.
The pick was announced by Lynn Swann during the draft coverage on NFLN/ABC/ESPN. The Steelers had a successful previous season with ten wins and finishing second in the AFC North. This marks their second consecutive year drafting an Iowa player after selecting Logan Lee in 2023.
Iowa continues its streak of having at least one player drafted each year since 1978. Johnson is now the 90th player under Coach Kirk Ferentz to be selected for the NFL Draft.
