The Seahawks added a bigtime playmaker to their running game in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, selecting Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III.
On a conference call with Seattle-area media, Walker said getting the call from the Seahawks "was amazing. I always say it's like when I'm growing up, you see guys on TV that go to this and you dream of this moment. And this day is actually here so it's surreal and it's a blessing to be in this position."
Walker comes to Seattle after a very productive year in which he rushed for 1,636 yards, the second most in the nation amongst FBS backs, while averaging 6.2 yards per carry and scoring 18 touchdowns. Walker finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting, and won the Walter Camp Player of the Year and Doak Walker award as the nation's top running back, and was an Associated Press first-team All-American and the Big Ten Running Back of the Year.
Walker described himself as "versatile. I'm a physical runner. Explosive. I'm able to run routes out of the backfield. I just play hard and with a chip on my shoulder."
Walker adds to an already deep running back room that is led by Rashaad Penny and Chris Carson, and also includes Travis Homer, DeeJay Dallas and Josh Johnson. Of that group, however, only Dallas is under contract beyond the 2022 season.
Take a look at running back Kenneth Walker III during his time at Michigan State University. Walker was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2nd round, No. 41 overall, in the 2022 NFL Draft.
FILE - Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III (9) rushes against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Piscataway, N.J., in this Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, file photo. Walker was selected to The Associated Press Midseason All-America team, announced Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III runs against Michigan during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
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Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III (9) breaks the tackle of Purdue cornerback Jamari Brown (7) on his way to a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III (9) dives into the endzone past Miami safety Amari Carter (5) to score a touchdown during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept 18, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III, left, dives over the goal line for a touchdown against Michigan's DJ Turner during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III, left, rushes against Nebraska's Caleb Tannor, right, as Michigan State's Connor Heyward (11) blocks during overtime of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 23-20 in overtime. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III, right, rushes against Penn State's Kalen King (4) and Ji'Ayir Brown (16) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III runs off the field following an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Wake Forest running back Kenneth Walker III carries the football against Elon in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Wake Forest running back Kenneth Walker III, left, carries the football as Elon Phoenix defensive back Cole Coleman tackles him in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Wake Forest running back Kenneth Walker III, right, fights for yards against North Carolina State linebacker Louis Acceus in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. Wake Forest won 44-10. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
