It also gives them a larger back to help replace Najee Harris, which rushed to more than 1,000 yards during each of the last four seasons before leaving for free agency during the offseason.
In three seasons in Iowa, Johnson rushed to nearly 2,800 yards, including 1,537 yards and 22 affected in 2024 in 240 races when he put the Hawkeyes offensive on the back.
From his attempts to precipitate last season, 191 were zone races according to Pro Football Focus, while more than 1,000 of his yards came after the first contact.
Johnson faced boxes stacked on more than 50%of his career races, with 8 or more defenders in the box (50.4%), while no other RB in this year’s class (min. 250 career races) was more than 39%.
Johnson experienced at least one touch in the 12 games of Iowa in 2024. He also did not have a single escaped.
A powerful and decisive runner, Johnson was not one of the many runners of the NFL screening combination which ran the dashboard of 40 yards in 4.5 seconds or less, but its 4.57 second 40 was not bad for a back of its size.
It arose in his game film, while Johnson finished second last season with 21 points of 20 or more yards despite boxes loaded more than all other FBS teams except three. He also had 28 races of 15 or more yards, which ranked third in FBS.
Johnson represented just over 40% of the Iowa offensive in 2024. Only Ashton Jenty from Boise State represented more from the offensive of this team.
He had more than 100 yards on the ground in eight of the 12 games of the Iowa in 2024, exceeding at least 86 yards on the ground at all matches except two.
Due to the heavy Iowa program, Johnson did not have the opportunity to present his skills of reception or protection against the passes, but he had 22 receptions for 188 yards and two affected in 2024.
