Yes

Yeah, you read that right. Starting Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson is a legit Heisman contender this year.

Since the Heisman Trophy first started in 1935, over 40 running backs have been able to take home the illustrious title of “Best Player in College Football.”

If the last few games are any indication, Johnson has the potential to be the first Hawkeye Heisman Trophy winner since Nile Kinnick in 1939.

While the Heisman Trophy is considered by some to be a “quarterback award,” running backs have been more than capable of taking home the honor. Running backs including Derrick Henry, Mark Ingram, and Reggie Bush have all won it and continued their success on to the NFL.

The Iowa running back leads the NCAA in rushing yards, with 479 yards through three games. Johnson has also recorded a total of six touchdowns and is averaging 7.9 yards per carry.

Johnson is on pace for a 24-touchdown season and has the potential to rack up more than 1,880 yards if the running back can continue his electric play through the conclusion of the season.

For reference, when Mark Ingram won the Heisman Trophy for Alabama in 2009, he recorded a total of 17 rushing touchdowns and rushed for 1,658 total yards.

With an offense that has been notorious for struggling to put up points the last couple of seasons, it would only make sense for Iowa to continue to feed the lone bright spot on what has been a fairly weak motor.

The idea of an offensive player winning the Heisman Trophy may be hard to grasp for most Iowa fans. However, Johnson has proven after few games of play that he is a legit Heisman candidate.

Do not be surprised when Johnson’s stock continues to rise throughout the season.

No

Hawkeye running back Kaleb Johnson is a bright spot for sure — but not a Heisman candidate.

Now don’t get me wrong here. I’m all for the love Johnson is getting in the college football world. The third-year has been the best Iowa running back for some time now, and he’s embraced waiting his turn when other schools called his phone in the transfer portal.

One might argue he has single-handedly saved this offense that has been so hit or miss yet again this year. That’s evidenced by his stellar touchdown and yardage numbers.

Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is that too many obstacles sit in his way right now. Four weeks into the season is too early to definitively say Johnson can contend for the Heisman Trophy this year.

Let’s continue with the Mark Ingram example. Sure, Johnson is on pace to beat his numbers, but Ingram’s season resulted in first-team All-SEC, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and unanimous All-American nods en route to a BCS National Championship.

Of course, I think it’s safe to say Johnson won’t be the motor pushing the Iowa Hawkeyes that far in the postseason. A Big Ten Championship is even a long shot, let alone a College Football Playoff berth. Ingram was, however, that motor for Alabama.

And strong numbers don’t mean much right now when they’ve only come against Illinois State, Iowa State, Troy, and Minnesota — not the SEC powerhouses of a decade ago.

When the Hawkeyes dive deeper into Big Ten play, it’s going to get much, much harder for Johnson to maintain the pace he’s on right now. That’s because Iowa has yet to take on three of the top 20 run defenses in college football: No. 2 Ohio State, No. 6 Northwestern, and No. 16 Nebraska.

If he finds a way to upkeep such numbers and Iowa starts to make some noise because of it, that’s a Heisman winner. But I don’t see that happening.