Kaleb Johnson Declares for NFL Draft

I'd probably admire him a lot if he didn't.
I'd also worry that something is wrong with him and that the Iowa program didn't help give him the most basic of skills necessary to navigate life.

Now go join Barkley and show the NFL that it can play dynamic football. Which might be hard, because he hasn't played on a dynamic team for a couple years now. But, he played the part the NFL needs. I will admire him no less.
 
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Do you think Leshon Williams is wondering if he still should have transferred?
Probably not... Because for him it was more about PT for next yr going forward. He was in the room with Jaz and Moulton and knew how he stacked up against them too. He didn't want to be the 2nd or 3rd banana again so leaving made sense. Now I don't know anything about Memphis RB room maybe he's got a clear path to being their bell cow maybe not. But I'm going to guess it's a clearer path then what he'd have had if he stayed.
 
This is great for KJ good for him. It's great for us to have a RB leaving early and being as great as he is. He'll have an argument for being the 1st RB taken depending how things go at the combine. He's taller and bigger then Jeanty. I'm not sure about how their speed compares I haven't seen enough of Jeanty to comment. But KJ is plenty fast that I do know. So their combine performances will be interesting to see. Assuming they both partake.
 
This is great for KJ good for him. It's great for us to have a RB leaving early and being as great as he is. He'll have an argument for being the 1st RB taken depending how things go at the combine. He's taller and bigger then Jeanty. I'm not sure about how their speed compares I haven't seen enough of Jeanty to comment. But KJ is plenty fast that I do know. So their combine performances will be interesting to see. Assuming they both partake.
Skattebo from ASU is another top back for the 2025 draft. Runs hard and is a threat in the passing game.
 
I wonder what made Kaleb change his mind so quickly after the Nebraska game. When talking to reporters right after the game, Kaleb was saying he wanted to play in the bowl game.

He must have been told he is a lock for a 1st round draft choice if he does not get hurt.
 
I wonder what made Kaleb change his mind so quickly after the Nebraska game. When talking to reporters right after the game, Kaleb was saying he wanted to play in the bowl game.

He must have been told he is a lock for a 1st round draft choice if he does not get hurt.

I don't think there is such a thing as a 1st-round lock RB, anymore. It is the most fungible position in the NFL, teams just don't value it highly enough to use a 1st round pick when the value is so much higher for QB, OT, Edge, WR, and CB.


Here are the #s of 1st round draft picks by position over the last 5 draft classes:

QB: 19
WR: 28
DB: 25
OT: 24
DE: 20 (this doesn't include LBs who were drafted as edge rushers)
RB: 5
 
I wonder what made Kaleb change his mind so quickly after the Nebraska game. When talking to reporters right after the game, Kaleb was saying he wanted to play in the bowl game.

He must have been told he is a lock for a 1st round draft choice if he does not get hurt.

I would guess the change of tune had more to do with the emotions following a big win, versus being able to consider a dilemma in the cold, hard light of day. You are probably more likely to want to marry a girl immediately after orgasm than you are the next day when she is brushing her teeth with your toothbrush.
 
I remember KJ's first long TD run in that game against Nevada. It was impressive, but it was Nevada. Then I rmember the very next day that a RB Recruit out of florida decommitted. I have often wondered if those two things were related. And also remember that not all decommits are the player's decision...often the coaches 'let them go' and allw them to save face by saying they're decommitting.
 
I don't think there is such a thing as a 1st-round lock RB, anymore. It is the most fungible position in the NFL, teams just don't value it highly enough to use a 1st round pick when the value is so much higher for QB, OT, Edge, WR, and CB.


Here are the #s of 1st round draft picks by position over the last 5 draft classes:

QB: 19
WR: 28
DB: 25
OT: 24
DE: 20 (this doesn't include LBs who were drafted as edge rushers)
RB: 5

Yes, but occasionally you still have that Saquon Barkley type that gets drafted high in the first round, although I admit Barkley is an exception.

Kaleb Johnson has that unique combo of being both a big back and also super fast. Although he has not been totally injury free, so that might hurt his draft status. But that big/fast combo could be appealing to NFL teams, possibly maybe even enough to be the first RB picked in the NFL draft.
 
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