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2022 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch: Michigan vs. Michigan State

By Andrew Fischer

Oct 23, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) pursues a play on defense against the Northwestern Wildcats at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) pursues a play on defense against the Northwestern Wildcats at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III, right, stiff arms Western Kentucky’s Kahlef Hailassie on a run during the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.211002 Msu Wku Fb 144a
Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III, right, stiff arms Western Kentucky’s Kahlef Hailassie on a run during the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.211002 Msu Wku Fb 144a /

Michigan State RB Kenneth Walker III

Walker will the be the first of two skill players we’ll highlight for the Spartans. A 5’10” 210-pound back from Arlington, TN, Kenneth Walker began his college career at Wake Forest where he ran for 1,158 yards and 17 touchdowns in 20 games over two seasons. He transferred to Michigan State following the 2020 campaign and is having a monstrous breakout year in East Lansing that has sent him skyrocketing up 2022 NFL Draft boards.

From the jump, Kenneth Walker III has made his presence felt at Michigan State. In his first start in Spartan green, Walker ran for 264 yards and four touchdowns in a Friday night road game at Northwestern. He hasn’t really slowed down since. Walker is second in the country in rushing yards with 997, and fifth in the Big Ten in rushing touchdowns with nine. Walker has shown that he can be a workhorse, as he’s 10th in the nation in rushing attempts, while maintaining an efficient 6.6-yard rushing average.

As a runner, Kenneth Walker can do a little bit of everything. He can break big runs (he had a 75-yard touchdown against Northwestern and a 94-yard touchdown against Rutgers), and he can grind out yardage between the tackles. He’s shown a nice blend of patience and vision, as he’ll wait for the hole to develop, but isn’t afraid to bounce it outside if it isn’t there. He’s shiftier than his build would suggest and is willing to put his head down and plow ahead for extra yardage at the end of his runs. I’ve seen him have highlight runs out of the shotgun on zone reads, on standard I-formation counter plays with the quarterback under center, and even as he took the snap himself out of the Wildcat formation.

The most promising thing I noticed about Kenneth Walker III as a 2022 NFL Draft prospect was his burst. Watching Walker at Michigan State versus how looked at Wake Forest, there was a noticeable difference in athleticism. He showed much more burst with the Spartans, which I take as evidence of him getting better. The only thing he’ll have to work on is pass catching as he only has 11 receptions in 27 career games, but if continues to improve he could certainly make that a viable part of his game.

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