04/29/22: Drafted by Seattle (2nd round, 41st overall)
• Ranks fifth in the NFL since 2022 with five games with at least two rushing touchdowns.
• Rushed a season-high 26 times for 105 yards vs. Arizona (10/22/23), his lone 100-yard effort of the season, and sixth of his career.
• Became the first rookie since 2018 (Saquon Barkley) to have three straight 100-yard rushing games (Weeks 16-18, 2022). Led all rookies with 1,050 rushing yards, led the NFL with 354 yards over the final three weeks of the regular season, ranked tied for first in the NFL with nine touchdowns by a rookies (first among running backs), and ranked tied for second in the NFL with 10 rushes of at least 20 yards. Finished second in AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting.
• Became the second rookie in franchise history with 1,000 rushing yards (Curt Warner, 1983), posting 1,050 in 2022, and ranked second in franchise history with five 100-yard rushing games by a rookie. Also became the third Seattle rookie (Curt Warner, Joey Galloway) to eclipse 1,000 scrimmage yards in a season (1,215). Part of Seattle's productive rookie class which finished second in the NFL with a combined 4,868 offensive and defensive snaps played.
• Named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for October. Along with CB Tariq Woolen (NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for October), became the first teammates to win the award in the same month since it began in 1996.
• Posted the second-fastest ball-carrier speed in the NFL, clocking 22.09 mph during his 74-yard touchdown run at the L.A. Chargers (10/23/22). Rushed for a career-high 167 rushing yards and two touchdowns in that Chargers game. Was the first Seahawks rookie with 150-plus rushing yards and two-plus rushing touchdowns since Curt Warner vs. Kansas City (11/27/83). With touchdown runs of 69 and 74 yards in 2022, Walker became the first rookie with two 65-yard touchdown runs since Saquon Barkley in 2018. His 265 rushing yards in his first two career starts were the most in franchise history.
HONORS: 2023: NFC Offensive Player of the Week 3; 2022: PFWA All-Rookie Team, NFL Rookie of the Month for October.
COLLEGE: Finished sixth overall in Heisman Trophy voting. 2021 Walter Camp National Player of the Year, 2021 Doak Walker award winner, 2021 consensus All-American as unanimous first-team selection (AFCA, AP, Sporting News, FWAA, Walter Camp, ESPN.com, CBS Sports, Pro Football Focus and The Athletic), 2021 Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Year (AP), 2021 Big Ten Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year, 2021 first-team All-Big Ten (coaches & media) and 2021 Maxwell Award finalist. Transfer from Wake Forest and joined the Spartan program in January 2021. Made an immediate impact in one record-breaking season in East Lansing. Played in a total of 32 collegiate games (20 at Wake Forest from 2019-20, 12 at Michigan State in 2021). Rushed for 2,794 yards and 35 touchdowns on 480 carries in his career (1,158 yards and 17 touchdowns at Wake Forest in 2020-21; 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns at MSU in 2021). Finished his collegiate career with 3,069 all-purpose yards (1,344 at Wake Forest; 1,725 at MSU) and 36 total touchdowns (17 rushing at Wake Forest; 18 rushing and one receiving at MSU). Had 13 100-yard rushing games in career (two at Wake Forest in 2019; three at Wake Forest in 2020; eight at Michigan State in 2021). Won the Big Ten rushing title, averaging 136.3 yards per game, and finished the season ranked No. 2 in the FBS and No. 1 in the Power 5 in rushing yards per game (136.3) and total rushing yards (1,636). Started all 12 games in the regular season but opted out of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft. Ranked among MSU's single-season leaders in rushing yards per game (third with 136.3 ypg), rushing yards (fourth with 1,636), points (fourth with 114), total touchdowns (fourth with 19), rushing touchdowns (tied for fifth with 18), all-purpose yards (10th with 1,725), rushing average (10th with 6.22 avg.) and carries (11th with 263).
PERSONAL: Attended Arlington High School in Tennessee near Memphis, rushing for 3,485 yards on 493 carries, including 13 100-yard games, with 41 touchdowns in his prep career. Also had 64 catches for 1,058 yards and 16 touchdowns. Rushed for 1,403 yards as a senior with 27 touchdowns despite missing three games. Nominated for the Tennessee Sports Writers Association all-state team. Named first-team all-region at running back and kick returner. Rushed for 1,205 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior with seven 100-yard games, Named first-team All-Region 7-6A at running back and second team as a kick returner. Majored in communications.
