What made Sam Hubbard so beloved by Cincinnati Bengals fans is that he is a Cincinnati native. Hubbard embodied everything about being a Bengal and being from Cincinnati.
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This year, there’s a prospect who is originally from Cincinnati and says he would love to play for the Bengals.
Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson recently spoke about wanting to play for the Bengals with FOX 19’s Joe Danneman. Johnson specifically mentioned joining former Hawkeyes teammate and Bengals tight end Erick All Jr.
“Erick All said he’d love for me to come it would be awesome,” Johnson told Danneman. ”It’d be very cool, but I don’t care where I go. I just want to make a difference and help them win a Super Bowl.”
Johnson starred at Hamilton High School in Cincinnati, earning First-Team All-State as a Senior in 2022 while also lettering in basketball and track.
At Iowa, Johnson was a beast in 2024, winning Big Ten Running Back of the Year and leading the Big Ten in rushing with 1,537 yards. Johnson was also named a Consensus All-American in 2024.
Brugler’s comparison is DeMarco Murray, who rushed for over 1,800 yards with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014.
The Bengals just reworked Zack Moss’ contract, ensuring he will be here for the 2025 Season. Moss, though, is coming off a 2024 season where a serious neck injury sidelined him for the second half of the season.
Drafting Johnson could be a smart pick for the Bengals to add depth to the running back room and give Chase Brown another complement at the position.
You can watch Johnson’s full conversation with Danneman here.
Former Hamilton High School and Iowa star running back Kaleb Johnson did 9 in-person team visits before the #NFLDraft - including the Bengals.
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) April 22, 2025
We talk with him tonight at 10.
Fun thought from him here on potentially landing with the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/OakwXghCiV
