IOWA CITY, Iowa – The running backs atop Iowa’s spring depth chart stood by each other during last week’s media interviews. The close friends wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Reporters surrounded sophomore Kamari Moulton, No. 1 on the two-deep. Jaziun Patterson, a junior, hosted a smaller group. Both were at peace and content.

The Hawkeyes are lucky. A tight bond holds these Floridians together at a time when the transfer portal is jam-packed. Plenty of schools would covet Moulton and Patterson if they entered.

Instead, a relationship stretching back to high school has blossomed.

“He’s always been my boy,” Moulton said of Patterson. “We feed off each other’s energy. Jazz is full-on go compete, and we all feed off of that.”

They trained together in high school. Patterson’s Deerfield Beach High competed against Cardinal Gibbons and Moulton in talent-rich South Florida. They respected each other’s talents.

“We’re almost like the same person,” Patterson said of the connection.

The friends moved up the pecking order with last season’s leading rusher, Kaleb Johnson, off to the NFL. Time will tell how the carries will be divided up.

Johnson took on about half of the Hawkeyes’ 501 rushing attempts last fall. Combined, Moulton and Patterson logged around 100 fewer totes than the All-American.

How Iowa employs the duo will be interesting. Many running-back timeshares include members with different skills and body types. Moulton (5-9, 197) and Patterson (5-10, 195) are a lot alike.

Moulton’s 473 ground yards (5.6 YPC) in ’24 were second on the team to Johnson’s 1,537 (6.4). Patterson picked up 309 yards (4.9). Moulton and Patterson weren’t involved as receivers, each catching just one pass.

Moulton and Patterson understand nothing’s guaranteed. Terrell Washington Jr. is an advanced receiver at the position. Brevin Doll and Xavier Williams have a college season under their belts, and true freshman Nathan McNeil is an early enrollee.

The veterans have a head start, though. Their experience can’t be taught.

Moulton felt prepared for the opportunity. He added 12 pounds to the 185 he was listed at on the 2023 roster.

“It’s helped me be able to take more hits and be more physical. It’s a good thing for me. I’ll be able to take more carries,” he said.

Moulton says he hasn’t lost any shiftiness with the added weight. It’s a healthy lifestyle of larger meals packed with protein. He’s playing faster and thinking less in Year 2 of offensive coordinator Tim Lester.

“Everything’s a lot smoother and it’s becoming more fun. When you have fun, that means you’ll be at your best,” he said.

Understanding the nuances of the position and being able to take advantage of that knowledge has Moulton’s confidence riding high.

“That’s what really separates a lot of players, just the details, knowing what you gotta do and when you gotta do it,” he said.

Moulton’s happiness at Iowa can, at least in part, be attributed to being listed No. 1 as a sophomore. Patterson’s contentment is more unusual. Being listed behind a younger teammate could create unrest.

Patterson hasn’t considered leaving the Hawkeyes. He’s leaned on patience and belief in himself.

“I always know with God my opportunity is coming. You can never give up on yourself and think there’s something better out there,” he said.

“I’ve always been loyal to this program ever since I came here and that’s the way it’s going to stay. I don’t need to go nowhere. I’ve always been confident that my opportunity is going to come.”

It speaks to the positivity of the Moulton-Patterson partnership that they’re both cheered on back home. No fan beefs, just love and encouragement.

“It feels great that everyone from our state supports us on Instagram and texting us and wanting us to do well,” Patterson said. “There’s really no pressure to represent because we know the type of guys we are. We’re going to work hard, regardless, and whenever we get our time and opportunity to shine, we’re going to do what we got to do.”

Moulton and Patterson feel responsible for producing on the field and leading off of it. They’re continuing with tradition passed down in the Iowa running back room.

“We all ask each other questions, just trying to get better,” Moulton said. “That’s what we’re trying to be at the end of the day. We all want one thing, and that’s to win.”