Running back Leshon Williams enters this season as the veteran of the backfield.
In a room surrounded by first and second-year players, the redshirt junior will play a crucial role as the experienced voice of the backfield. He will also be a vital change of pace option to mix things up with the Iowa rushing attack.
Leshon Williams is a player who can provide a lot more for the Hawkeyes this year than his statistics from last season suggest. The stats last year weren’t ideal at all, but, as with most backs, you have to really include context.
The offensive line in front of him struggled, especially in the beginning of the season when he received the most work. There were so many times were he was met immediately in the backfield and just had to make it back to the line of scrimmage.
Just watching his game, there is a lot to like. He runs hard and given some sort of a lane, he can be a productive back. All offseason the coaching staff has been raving about his progress, adding even more intrigue. Here’s a look at backup running back Leshon Williams.
Preseason Player Profile
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Ht: 5-10
Wt: 210
Class in 2023: Jr.
247Sports composite ranking
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
2020 three-star / No. 47 running back / No. 11 in Illinois
Before Iowa
Iowa running back Leshon Williams (4) runs a drill during a spring NCAA football practice, Thursday, March 30, 2023, at the University of Iowa Indoor Practice Facility in Iowa City, Iowa.
- 2,115 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns as a junior
- Earned all-conference honors as a junior and sophomore
- Earned honorable mention all-state honors as a junior and senior
- Team captain as a junior and senior
Career Stats
| Rushing | Receiving | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 2020 | Iowa | Big Ten | FR | RB | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| *2021 | Iowa | Big Ten | FR | RB | 3 | 21 | 69 | 3.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 69 | 3.3 | 0 | |
| *2022 | Iowa | Big Ten | JR | RB | 12 | 116 | 412 | 3.6 | 2 | 11 | 78 | 7.1 | 0 | 127 | 490 | 3.9 | 2 |
| Career | Iowa | 137 | 481 | 3.5 | 2 | 11 | 78 | 7.1 | 0 | 148 | 559 | 3.8 | 2 | ||||
Depth Chart Overview
Iowa running back Leshon Williams (4) talks with reporters after the Hawkeyes’ final spring NCAA football practice, Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Currently, Williams is listed as the backup to Kaleb Johnson on the depth chart. Due to his experience and growth over the offseason, it is not surprising to see Williams as the first relief option for Johnson. Williams will be a nice change of pace, and it will be interesting to see how the workload is divided in this running backs room.
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