2022 NFL Draft: Kenneth Walker III Has Dominant Showing For Spartans

New Michigan State Spartans running back Kenneth Walker III had a dominant showing and is on the 2022 NFL Draft radar.

Kenneth Walker III may not have been firmly on the 2022 NFL Draft radar, especially in what looks like a good group, and maybe more importantly, a deep group of running backs for this coming cycle. In a deep group without a certified superstar, getting onto the radar could be huge for your stock. Walker did just that in his first game with the Michigan State Spartans after transferring from Wake Forest.

It didn’t take long either. Walker took his first carry 75 yards for a touchdown, giving the Spartans an early 7-0 lead. He scored three more times in the game, rushing for 264 yards on 23 carries for those four scores.

Walker is listed at 5’10” and 210 pounds, and has the profile to be a workhorse in the NFL. He showed off his impressive burst Friday night, and the long speed and stamina to match on his long touchdown run. He pressed the line of scrimmage well on his second score, and exploded off his plant foot to get to the outside. Walker had impressive vision all night long, and processed things quickly in front of him. He was efficient changing direction in space and lowered the pads at contact well.

Walker will be interesting to follow as Michigan works their way through Big Ten football. Against tougher teams like Ohio State and Penn State, Walker will definitely be tested and prove that this performance is more than a flash in the pan. This was still a great first game in a Spartans uniform for Walker, and it will be interesting to see how his 2022 NFL Draft stock blossoms from here. He could afford to become a bigger factor in the passing game, but with vision and burst as calling cards, Kenneth Walker III will continue to make some noise.