The Pittsburgh Steelers usually don’t single out running backs unless someone shows real promise. As training camp gains momentum, one rookie back is making waves not by hype, but by substance. Steelers fans should take notice: this isn't just about raw speed. It’s about growth, patience, and instincts in the open field. While many eyes are still locked onto the wide receivers and quarterbacks, it’s worth shifting the spotlight for a moment to a player who’s quietly transformed into a legitimate backfield threat. That player is Kaleb Johnson.
Charlie Neibergall / Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 rookie running back Kaleb Johnson during an Iowa game in 2023.
At training camp, reporters from were able to catch Sebastian Castro and grab his opinions on his fellow rookie in Johnson..
“I remember when, freshman year, you could definitely tell he was, once he got into the open field," Castro said. "He just like kicks it into a different gear, and seeing him three years in college, just seeing how he can find the hole and he has his vision developed over time. So that's something he definitely got way better at throughout his years, and, I mean, he's still doing it.”
That quote from Castro delivers a clear, unvarnished snapshot of Johnson’s evolution. Castro’s observation that Johnson shifted into another gear once he hit the open field is a metaphor for his maturation as a runner.
Johnson was selected in the third round, 83rd overall, by the Steelers in the 2025 NFL Draft. He played three seasons at Iowa (2022–2024) and amassed 2,779 rushing yards on 508 carries, ranking sixth in program history. His breakout final year featured 1,537 rushing yards, 21 touchdowns, and a 6.4 yards per carry average on 240 carries, while also catching 22 passes for 188 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
He earned consensus All‑American honors, was named Big Ten Running Back of the Year, and broke Iowa single‑season records for rushing touchdowns and scoring. Studies rank Johnson among this draft class with the highest breakaway run percentage and elite yards-after-contact per attempt traits tied to explosiveness and vision.
Castro identifies Johnson’s knack for finding and erupting through creases, a skill he refined over three seasons. The phrase “vision developed over time” aligns precisely with statistical analysis showing Johnson excelled in explosive plays, even when facing stacked boxes frequently.
That maturation suggests Johnson isn’t a one‑dimensional athlete. He grew every year becoming more patient at the mesh point, more decisive through gaps, more dangerous after contact. Castro saying “he’s still doing it” implies that this growth didn’t plateau at Iowa; it’s paying off in his rookie progression.
Nick Rohlman / The Gazette
Steelers rookie Sebastian Castro during a collegiate game.
With Najee Harris no longer in Pittsburgh, Johnson joined a backfield with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, giving the team a diverse trio. As a bigger, home‑run capable runner, Johnson likely steps into early‑down and short‑yardage packages. His combination of size and vision makes him a fitting piece for Arthur Smith’s zone‑heavy offense
If Johnson can translate his college instincts to the pro level, he offers the Steelers not just depth, but potential long‑term impact. And if your question is how he measures up compared to expectations and internal competition, the tape says he’s making that leap Castro described.
While Warren brings shiftiness and third‑down proficiency, Johnson brings something different: power with patience and vision. Developmentally, Castro’s quote shows Johnson has an aligned mindset with ability.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers' rookie running back Kaleb Johnson receiving his first NFL jersey on the first day of Steelers' rookie minicamp in 2025.
Steelers Could Have A Hidden Gem To Develop
Castro’s words aren’t hyperbole. They encapsulate a calculated evolution from a freshman with raw athleticism to a senior All‑American with vision and polish. If that progression has continued into the NFL offseason, the Steelers may have unearthed a diamond in the rough. Johnson might be the rookie who surprises Steelers fans this fall. Based on Castro’s firsthand observations and the confirmed college profile, the pieces are in place.
Is Johnson the rookie who surprises Steelers fans this fall? Let us know in the comments!
#SteelerNation
