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Is Kareem Walker Michigan Football’s Next Star RB?

By Chris Peterson

Apr 1, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Kareem Walker (6) during warm ups prior to the Spring Game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Kareem Walker (6) during warm ups prior to the Spring Game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan football has had a shortage of good running backs recently, will Kareem Walker become the Wolverines’ next star at the position?

When Jim Harbaugh first became the head coach of the Michigan football program, one problem the Wolverines had, was a lack of stars at the skill positions.

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Ohio State always seemed to have those players and that was always one of the biggest difference between the two teams when they played. However, when Harbaugh got Walker to commit to Michigan football, after decommitting from the Buckeyes, it was a huge coup.

Walker, the top-ranked running back in the country, according to ESPN, could be just the guy to return some star power to Michigan’s running game.

It’s true that the Wolverines have some talented backs. De’veon Smith, Drake Johnson and Ty Isaac can all play. And they may even play more than Walker will this season, but the 6-0, 215-pound back is the future.

Walker may have gotten just seven yards in four carries in the Michigan spring game, but his talent and athleticism has already been on display.

And Walker is exactly the kind of back that Harbaugh and Michigan wants. He’s tough, he’s physical and he’s a one-cut runner that doesn’t mess around. When Harbaugh was recruiting Walker he said to him, “You’re a nugget of gold in our eyes.”

Here’s what 247/sports scouting director Barton Simmons said  to MLive about Walker and his fit with the Wolverines:

“I think he can come in and compete early on. He’s not going to be contending for a Heisman as a freshman, but he can definitely come in and get carries and be a back who can get tough yards for you,” Simmons says. “I think, again, all those things are characteristics I think Harbaugh’s really looking for in a running back.

“Size, toughness. Kareem Walker has those things.”

The fact that Michigan football was able to get the top running back in the country was significant in itself, but if Walker can live up to the billing and become the next great Wolverine back, joining the likes of recent greats Mike Hart, Chris Perry, Anthony Thomas, Tyrone Wheatley and Tim Biakabutuka, it would be huge for the program.

It was telling at this year’s NFL draft to see all the players from Ohio State, Alabama and Clemson getting picked and it was no wonder why those teams were competing for the national championship.

If Michigan wants to win the Big Ten and play in the College Football Playoff, it needs more superstars and not just on defense, at the offensive skill positions.

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The Wolverines haven’t had a skill position player drafted in the first round of the draft since Braylon Edwards in 2005. That drought is far too long, but with guys like Walker and more like him coming, it’s bound to end sooner rather than later.

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