Iowa Football 2024 Position Primer: Iowa’s Offense Rumors Surrounding The QB Spot And Ideal Expectations

As the college football season swiftly approaches, we’re turning our attention to the running back position for Iowa as they enter the 2024 season. While much of the discussion around Iowa’s offense has centered on the quarterback position, the running back group is crucial to their success. Today, we’ll spotlight this important group and share what to expect from them.

Before diving into the running backs, take a moment to revisit our previous position primers.

Quarterback

2023 IN REVIEW

Entering the season, there was considerable buzz around Kaleb Johnson, but an early injury sidelined him for a few games. Jaziun Patterson also suffered an injury that limited his performance, leading the Hawkeyes to rely on Leshon Williams.

Williams had been a consistent presence for Iowa over the past few seasons, showing glimpses of his potential during limited offseason opportunities. However, 2023 marked his breakout year as he became the go-to player. Williams ended the season with 821 rushing yards, one touchdown, and an average of 4.8 yards per carry. He also caught a touchdown pass. His standout performances came against Wisconsin and Nebraska on the road. The highlight was his 82-yard touchdown run against the Badgers, which secured a rare victory in Madison for the Hawkeyes.

Williams’ yards per carry varied in other games, but his notable performances, including a win against Western Michigan, helped him achieve his best season yet.

When healthy, Johnson had a solid year, rushing for 463 yards and three touchdowns, with an average of just under four yards per carry. Patterson contributed 206 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 3.55 yards per carry, with his best performance against Iowa State, where he rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown, and another touchdown run against Rutgers.

Additionally, Iowa got a glimpse of what true freshmen Kamari Moulton and Terrell Washington Jr. could offer in limited playing time. We’ll delve into their contributions later.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: LESHON WILLIAMS AND KALEB JOHNSON

As we noted previously, Williams took on the role of feature back for Iowa last season due to injuries to Kaleb Johnson and Jaziun Patterson.

Williams is set to maintain his feature back role this season, based on his strong performance last year. However, Johnson is eager to claim that spot as well, showing significant potential to become the Hawkeyes’ primary back.

Iowa plans to use a running back by committee approach, making it unlikely that one back will dominate the snaps, though one is expected to see more playing time than the others.

Johnson was impressive as a true freshman, earning freshman All-America honors after rushing for an Iowa freshman record of 779 yards and six touchdowns in 2022. The Hamilton, Ohio native rushed for 200 yards in a victory at Purdue last November, marking the second-highest single-game total by an Iowa rookie and the 18th-best in program history.

Johnson combines power and speed, making him a dynamic addition to the running back room. In 2022, he was Iowa’s second-highest-rated offensive player, with a grade of 79.8, trailing only Sam LaPorta. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry, though his consistency needs improvement, as he had several games where he averaged three yards or less per carry.

Pass-blocking is another area where Johnson could improve, as it was inconsistent last season. Effective pass-blocking is essential for an Iowa running back. Nonetheless, Johnson’s rushing ability and open-field playmaking skills were evident in his big runs last season, which significantly contributed to the Hawkeyes.

While Johnson’s potential could raise the ceiling for the running back room, Williams’ consistent production and availability last season were among the few bright spots for Iowa’s offense.

Williams is one of Iowa’s best north-south runners in recent years.

He adds agility to his game, making defenders miss in the open field and creating big plays, while also excelling at lowering his shoulder and running through tackles.

Williams mentioned that Iowa plans to expand the passing game for running backs. Tim Lester’s new offense incorporates this aspect, providing more options in the playbook.

In 2021, Western Michigan had two running backs each rush for over 800 yards. If Iowa can achieve similar results with Williams and Johnson, it would be a successful season, given the importance of the running game to the Hawkeyes.

A season like 2020, when both Tyler Goodson and Mekhi Sargent averaged over 5.3 yards per carry, would rejuvenate the offense and enhance the passing game.

The focus isn’t on who gets the most snaps or carries, but on the productivity of both backs. Iowa is confident in both Johnson and Williams and will go with the hot hand.

Effective pass-blocking will be crucial for both players.

X-FACTOR: JAZIUN PATTERSON OR KAMARI MOULTON

Iowa running backs coach Ladell Betts did an excellent job retaining his players this offseason.

Despite having the experience to seek bigger roles elsewhere, the running backs behind Williams and Johnson chose to stay, demonstrating the tight-knit nature of the group.

Iowa plans to use three running backs to share the load. The goal is to have one running back reach 1,000 yards and another close to that mark, while also aiming for additional backs to achieve 300-400 yards with productive yards per carry.

This is where Jaziun Patterson and Kamari Moulton come into play.

Patterson and Moulton each offer something unique.

Patterson is a physical back who can lower his shoulder and power through tackles, while also displaying some speed. He lost 13 pounds this offseason to improve his speed and burst.

“For me, I’m a one-cutter back,” Patterson said last season. “I like sticking my foot in the ground and getting vertical, and taking hits.”

“Jaz runs like he doesn’t care, he just runs,” Kaleb Johnson added. “He runs angry all the time. I just love that about him because he’s not scared to run the ball when it comes down to it. He can score, I know he will.”

Patterson has also proven to be one of Iowa’s best pass-blockers, effectively picking up blitzes and pass-rushers. He isn’t afraid to put his shoulder down and neutralize a blitz.

Kamari Moulton demonstrated potential in a limited role for Iowa as a true freshman last season.

Known as a scat back in high school, Moulton has retained his agility while adding significant muscle since arriving in Iowa City. His speed remains a strong asset, complemented by his increased ability to break tackles.

Moulton was a standout performer this spring for the Hawkeyes, showcasing his skills during the open spring practice in April. There is talk that he will be a strong contender for the third running back spot alongside Patterson this fall.

The third running back is expected to provide a change of pace, which both Patterson and Moulton are capable of delivering. Betts emphasizes the importance of depth in the running back rotation, considering an abundance of backs a positive situation.

“Kamari is more of a natural tailback, per se, because that’s what he always played,” Betts said of Moulton.

Another running back to watch is Terrell Washington Jr. Iowa has utilized Washington Jr. as a receiving back who can also play in the slot, adding versatility to the offense. Washington Jr. gained some experience last season and has playmaking abilities that could make him hard to keep off the field.

“TJ is a bit of a jack of all trades,” Betts said of Washington. “He has played receiver, slot, quarterback, running back, so he has a broad skill set, and also serves as a returner.”

Washington Jr. could be a significant asset in Lester’s offense with his receiving capabilities.

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