Kaleb Johnson Awesomeness Appreciation

[JerseyCityHawki]

He’s a big back - has to be 6-2 but he showed everything you want in a young back as he’s fast and a bruiser- 7 totes for 103? Imagine if they handed it off to him double that! I guarantee he would have at least gain 150 yards… HE WAS PHENOMENAL! Skies the limit with him

 

[DodgerHawki]

He’s a big back - has to be 6-2 but he showed everything you want in a young back as he’s fast and a bruiser- 7 totes for 103? Imagine if they handed it off to him double that! I guarantee he would have at least gain 150 yards… HE WAS PHENOMENAL! Skies the limit with him

Has some real ability. It will be interesting to see how RB carries are handled going forward. L. Williams was at father's funeral. He and G. Williams are solid, but neither of them can do that Johnson did on both long TD runs.

I'm not advocating for 20+ carries for Johnson and make him the #1 back, right now. Probably best to let him be high impact off the bench. But there's going to be a time when he needs to be the guy.

 

[Bearhawk0505]

It appears he could be a difference maker. The other backs are capable backs, but the freshman appears to move differently and has big play ability.

 

[kwik44]

He definitely has the look of a Wisconsin back. He will do big things here provided he gets some blocking.

 

[uihawk82]

Has some real ability. It will be interesting to see how RB carries are handled going forward. L. Williams was at father's funeral. He and G. Williams are solid, but neither of them can do that Johnson did on both long TD runs.

I'm not advocating for 20+ carries for Johnson and make him the #1 back, right now. Probably best to let him be high impact off the bench. But there's going to be a time when he needs to be the guy.

He is smooth, fast enough, hard hitting as on the first TD run, give the 3 running backs their mix of carries and series.

 

[DodgerHawki]

He is smooth, fast enough, hard hitting as on the first TD run, give the 3 running backs their mix of carries and series.

Yeah he was very impressive. Broke a tackle on the first TD run, maintained balance and got up to top speed quickly to score. Second one was well blocked/schemed and that's what you want from your back. If the defense doesn't play the counter well, have it be a big play not just 8 yards.

 

[SA_Hawk]

Has a great stiff arm and appears to be a pain in the ass to bring down.

 

[83Hawk]

Looked good, to be sure.

But like everything else in the game, because Nevada is so horrible I am not taking anything away from it, other than Stevens appears to be our kicker.

 

[QChawks]

imagine what he could with a good OL

 

[anon_b29nm7v7dwp6r]

He was great, does look the part of a Wisconsin back.

 

[BustingNarratives]

If he can catch a pass out of the backfield he might end up being something very special. Just some simple screen passes or even quick pitches to the outside. Let's see what he can do in space against Rutgers ... their D is very good.

 

[FanOHawk]

He was great, does look the part of a Wisconsin back.

Reminds me of Coach Betts as a running back.

 

[SA_Hawk]

I pray he doesn't fumble and we don't see him again until the 5th game next season.

 

[SA_Hawk]

Depth Chart should be...
1. K2
2. L Williams
3. G. Williams

 

[WestCoastHawkI]

He made it look so effortless

 

[Cougars_80]

Just an observation but he runs smooth effortlessly great touchdown run THIS MORNING LOL

 

[ISPHawk]

I like him, but with our line going into league play, he won't do much......sadly.

 

[Wadzinator]

If he can catch a pass out of the backfield he might end up being something very special. Just some simple screen passes or even quick pitches to the outside. Let's see what he can do in space against Rutgers ... their D is very good.

I watched a lot of his high school tape he has very good hands and he can catch a ball. He also returned a lot of kicks In high school too.

 

[kceasthawk]

If he can catch a pass out of the backfield he might end up being something very special. Just some simple screen passes or even quick pitches to the outside. Let's see what he can do in space against Rutgers ... their D is very good.

He mentioned that he's put in a lot of work catching passes. Had one last night I believe.....

 

[WinOneThisCentury II]

He needs to get at least 15 touches a game. There was a run deep in our end where Gavin had a huge hole...and tried to juke a guy and ended up getting 5-6 yards. It's possible Kaleb may have housed that run. He has some wiggle, jump cuts, and then speed...you have to get him more touches.

 

[pocha444444]

Such a smooth runner with speed, and showed some power on the first TD run. Liked what I saw from Patterson in mop up time as well.

 

[Dargo]

Kaleb is the one bright spot in this shit show offense, at least he was last night against a brutal team. Which means, the Ferentz brain trust will continue to give Gavin Williams the most carries. He’s too slow, doesn’t have the footwork that Kaleb has. Kaleb and Leshon should be 1 and 2 with Gavin 3.

 

[Hawktruck]

Just an observation but he runs smooth effortlessly great touchdown run THIS MORNING LOL

On TV I didn't think he "looked" fast but obviously he is. Just must be the fact that he is so smooth with long strides seemingly effortlessly that makes it look like he isn't running hard. Then boom he's gone.

 

[BBHawk]

He’s a big back - has to be 6-2 but he showed everything you want in a young back as he’s fast and a bruiser- 7 totes for 103? Imagine if they handed it off to him double that! I guarantee he would have at least gain 150 yards… HE WAS PHENOMENAL! Skies the limit with him

He doesn't look that big...yet. he really does a good job of running to daylight. He took a couple of hits on his first TD run but kept his balance. Can't really teach that. He showed his speed on the second TD. He has some wheels!

 

[Wadzinator]

On TV I didn't think he "looked" fast but obviously he is. Just must be the fact that he is so smooth with long strides seemingly effortlessly that makes it look like he isn't running hard. Then boom he's gone.

He runs like Derrick Henry!

 

[HawCory]

More of an Adrian Peterson/Eric Dickerson type runner, imo.
Disclaimer: I’m not claiming he is as good as Adrian Peterson or Eric Dickerson were, I’m just saying that is who his running style reminds me of.

 

[BustingNarratives]

On TV I didn't think he "looked" fast but obviously he is. Just must be the fact that he is so smooth with long strides seemingly effortlessly that makes it look like he isn't running hard. Then boom he's gone.

He runs like an Olympic 100M sprinter in the last 50 meters of a race ... head stays steady and just glides. Fun to watch and I'm glad he is on our team. Get this kid the rock.

 

[Stormn Norman]

Kaleb looked very good! But I think Patterson looked good too! Both got the ball and ran! No spin moves in the back field or trying to be cute before they hit the line of scrimmage. just got the ball and hit it!

 

[DewHawk]

Has some real ability. It will be interesting to see how RB carries are handled going forward. L. Williams was at father's funeral. He and G. Williams are solid, but neither of them can do that Johnson did on both long TD runs.

I'm not advocating for 20+ carries for Johnson and make him the #1 back, right now. Probably best to let him be high impact off the bench. But there's going to be a time when he needs to be the guy.

I agree with the bold statement and Johnson is a very smooth/fast runner in the open field.

 

[Lumas Etima]

I wonder how many carries Johnson would have gotten if Leshon Williams had been available.

 

[SI_NYC]

He runs like an Olympic 100M sprinter in the last 50 meters of a race ... head stays steady and just glides. Fun to watch and I'm glad he is on our team. Get this kid the rock.

Interesting you also picked up on that about his head. I also noticed that which I think makes him look so smooth when running. There isn’t a lot of wasted movement when he runs.

 

[DodgerHawki]

I wonder how many carries Johnson would have gotten if Leshon Williams had been available.

It's obvious that the staff likes K. Johnson a lot. He got carries in both of the first 2 games even with the other backs. It's all about opportunity and taking advantage of it when it comes. He has the longest 2 plays from scrimmage this year for Iowa, I think you are going to see him getting in every game from here on out.

 

[BustingNarratives]

It's obvious that the staff likes K. Johnson a lot. He got carries in both of the first 2 games even with the other backs. It's all about opportunity and taking advantage of it when it comes. He has the longest 2 plays from scrimmage this year for Iowa, I think you are going to see him getting in every game from here on out.

I think you are right. He is averaging 8.3 yards per carry so far this year. Nobody else on the team is averaging half that. Get him the ball.

 

[WinOneThisCentury II]

Patterson...hmmm....do you think you could teach him a couple of things:

1) Line up in the slot - come in motion and take a direct hand off from the quarterback and run around end as fast as you can...and make people miss.

2) Line up in the slot - shallow circle to to the sideline getting a quick pass in the flat pitting him one on one with a safety in space.

Or does it take a few years to develop these skills in Brian's offense.

 

[BurgHawk87]

I watched a lot of his high school tape he has very good hands and he can catch a ball. He also returned a lot of kicks In high school too.

He returned the opening kick last night as well. That's a huge amount of trust placed by Kirk.