Fourth-year running back Kamari Moulton has gotten better each season, capped off with a near-1,000-yard rushing season last year.
Even though he was limited to only four games in his first season (2023-2024), Moulton tallied two rushing touchdowns, and he hasn't slowed down since. He improved his production every season, and if he hadn't been hurt last year, he could have easily gone over 1,000 rushing yards. Moulton took advantage of his first year as the primary starter last season, and now he won't be flying under the radar as Iowa's lead back.
Moulton was added to the Doak Walker Award Watch List
Moulton is primed to lead a loaded Iowa backfield that can go at least four deep, and if he stays healthy, the sky is the limit for him. Moulton is another example of how well the Hawkeyes take undervalued high school recruits and develop them into starters and All-Big Ten players. He committed to the Hawkeyes as a three-star prospect, but has far outplayed that ranking. After leading the Hawkeyes in rushing yards last season (878), he could easily do that again and more, and he is finally getting some respect.
Mari makin' moves 💨@HulkMoulton ➡️ @DoakWalkerAward Watch List 🏆 pic.twitter.com/pMGH5u2BaF
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) August 18, 2026
Moulton was added to the Doak Walker Award Watch List, which is presented annually to the best running back in college football. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love won the award last season after rushing for 1,392 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, while also adding 280 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. If Moulton stays healthy, he could get close to those numbers. If Moulton had been healthy for all 13 games last season, he would have easily gone over 1,000 yards, and with an unknown starting quarterback, it is a safe bet that the offense will heavily rely on the rushing attack early in the year.
The only thing working against Moulton is how deep the Iowa backfield is, and even though he is the projected starter, LJ Phillips, Xavier Williams, and Nathan McNeil could all cut into his snaps. If he wants to be in consideration for the award when it's all said and done, he will have to be laser-focused and efficient from the get-go. Moulton is a speedy back who can hit the hole with power or use his agility in the open field to get by players, and in his fourth season with the program, he is poised to take the next step.
The starting quarterback and three unknown starting offensive linemen will be a factor, but Moulton simply has to improve on what he's already done, and he will be in the running for the award. If Moulton wins the award, he will join Shonn Greene (2008) as the only other Hawkeye to win it, entering some rare company.
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