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Kaleb Johnson named Doak Walker candidate

RemasterDirector_5122f8b34by:Blair Sanderson08/09/23

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Kaleb Johnson
Kaleb Johnson will miss time due to injury. Photo by Dennis Scheidt, HawkeyeReport.com

Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson has been named a preseason candidate for the Doak Walker Award.

Named after three-time All-American Doak Walker from SMU, the award is presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate running back and is in its 33rd year in 2023.

Below is the full press release from the University of Iowa.

Kaleb Johnson named Doak Walker candidate

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa sophomore running back Kaleb Johnson has been named a preseason candidate for the 2023 Doak Walker Award, which is presented to the nation’s top college running back by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum.

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In its 33rd year, the award is named after SMU’s three-time All-America running back Doak Walker.

Johnson (6-foot, 222 pounds) earned freshman All-America honors after rushing for an Iowa freshman record 779 yards with six touchdowns in 2022. The Hamilton, Ohio, native rushed for 200 yards in a win at Purdue last November, the second highest single-game total by an Iowa rookie and 18th best in program history. Johnson also averaged 25 yards on 13 returns during his true freshman campaign.

Former Hawkeye Shonn Greene won the award in 2008, while Albert Young was a semifinalist in 2005.

Johnson and the Hawkeyes open their season against Sept. 2 against Utah State. The sold-out game is set for an 11 a.m. (CT) kickoff. 

Hawkeyes on 2023 Watch Lists

Kaleb Johnson – Doak Walker Award (RB) 

Erick All – John Mackey Award (TE) 

Luke Lachey – John Mackey Award (TE) 

Cooper DeJean – Bronko Nagurski Trophy (D-POY)

Cooper DeJean – Paul Hornung Award (Versatility) 

Logan Jones – Rimington Trophy (C) 

Cade McNamara – Maxwell Award (POY) 

Drew Stevens – Lou Groza Award (PK) 

Tory Taylor – Ray Guy Award (P) 

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