Kenneth Walker bet on himself – figuratively, at least – in his final college season, and it paid off in a big way.
His draft stock improved for what he accomplished at Michigan State after transferring from Wake Forest.
Walker wanted a to have a bigger role in the running game, and he got it in the Spartans' pro-style offense.
Walker carried the ball 263 times for 1,636 yards and 18 TDs. In two seasons at Wake Forest he carried 209 times for 1,058 yards and 17 TDs.
"At Wake Forest, I felt like that wasn't the best fit," Walker said in an interview with CBS at the Combine. "That's why I signed the transfer and went to Michigan State.
"I felt like that was a great fit for me. Being in the pro offense, that helped me a lot in making my decision."
And he answered without hesitation when asked to name his highlight of the 2021 season. It was his performance in MSU's 37-33 win over Michigan – 197 yards rushing and five TDs.
Following is a look at the 2022 running back class draft strength, the Lions' depth and draft priority at the position, and five running backs who could fit the Lions.
Running back class draft strength: Solid prospects at the top, with the first back likely to be taken at the bottom of the first round or early in the second.
Lions' RB depth chart: A good mix of talent and depth – D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Godwin Igwebuike, Jermar Jefferson, Craig Reynolds. Jason Cabinda, fullback.
Lions' RB draft priority: Not high. Day 3 for depth likely.
View photos of the top running back prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Georgia running back James Cook (4) breaks for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Georgia running back James Cook (6) carries the ball against South Carolina defensive back Jaycee Horn during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Columbia, S.C. Georgia defeated South Carolina 41-17. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Georgia running back James Cook (6) scores a touchdown against Austin Peay defensive back Malik Davis (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III (9) celebrates scoringt a touchdown against Miami during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept 18, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs past Rutgers linebacker Drew Singleton during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Michigan State won 31-13. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs for a touchdown past Northwestern safety Brandon Joseph (16) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) carries the ball past Mississippi defensive back Jon Haynes (5) for a 22-yard touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Texas A&M won 24-17. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Texas A&M's Isaiah Spiller runs after making a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Clemson Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Clemson, S.C. Clemson won 24-10. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) stiff arms UTSA cornerback Corey Mayfield Jr. (26) during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Florida running back Dameon Pierce (27) dives for yardage past Georgia defensive back Tyson Campbell (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida running back Dameon Pierce (27) looks for room to get around Tennessee defensive back Bryce Thompson (20) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida running back Dameon Pierce (29) rushes for yardage in front of Charleston Southern safety Zach Hayden (43) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Gainesville, Fla. Florida won 53-6. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Iowa State running back Breece Hall, left, drives in a touchdown despite defensive efforts by Oklahoma State safety Jarrick Bernard, right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Ames, Iowa. Oklahoma State won 34-27. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Iowa State running back Breece Hall (28) dives for a touchdown while defended West Virginia safety Sean Mahone (29) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo/Raymond Thompson)
Iowa State running back Breece Hall carries the ball up field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Five running backs who could fit the Lions:
(40-yard dash times are from Combine and Pro Day workouts as available.)
1. Kenneth Walker, Michigan State:
5-9, 211. 4.38 40-yard dash.
His one big season should not overshadow the fact that Walker has produced with the ball in his hands at every opportunity.
He rushed for 3,115 yards and 41 TDs in high school in Texas. In his two seasons at Wake Forest he averaged 6.2 and 4.9 yards per carry. And he averaged 6.2 yards per carry at MSU. He has scant experience at receiver – six catches at Wake Forest, and 13 at MSU.
One significant asset: He can cut back and accelerate through a hole.
2. Breece Hall, Iowa State:
5-11, 217. 4.39 40-yard dash.
A powerful runner with speed and production. He delivered over a three-year period, with a modest start in 2019 – 186 carries, 897 yards and nine TDs.
Hall was a workhorse his final two seasons: 279 carries, 1,572 yards and 21 TDs in 2020; 253 carries, 1,472 yards and 20 TDs in 2021.
It's no surprise if he's the first back off the board.
3. Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M:
6 feet, 217. 4.63 40-yard dash.
A three-year player, with 35 games played. Consistent player – and consistently good.
From 2019-21 had carries of 174, 188 and 179 yards and rushing totals of 946, 1,036 and 1,011 yards. Average carry per season was 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6 yards.
4. James Cook, Georgia:
5-11, 199. 4.42 40-yard dash.
It sometimes gets lost in the attention Georgia's defense gets, but there is an offense.
A four-year player with 50 games played, Cook did not compile huge stats – just 1,503 yards rushing. But he contributed to the 2022 national champs with 728 yards rushing and seven TDs and as a receiver with 27 catches, four TDs and 10.5 yards per catch.
View photos from offseason workouts on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.
Detroit Lions running back Godwin Igwebuike (35) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Logan Stenberg (71) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (87), Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu (26) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Jonah Jackson (73) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Matt Nelson (67) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu (26) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Ryan McCollum (74) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Tommy Kraemer (78) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (87) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Garrett Griffin during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89), Detroit Lions tight end Garrett Griffin during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Tim Boyle (12) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Matt Sokol during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Tavante Beckett (59) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions long snapper Scott Daly (47) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Aldrick Rosas (5) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety C.J. Moore (38) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Tim Boyle (12) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Josh Schuler, Detroit Lions tight end Garrett Griffin, Detroit Lions long snapper Scott Daly (47), Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89), Detroit Lions quarterback Tim Boyle (12), Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3), Detroit Lions quarterback Steven Montez (19), Detroit Lions quarterback Tim Boyle (12) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10), Detroit Lions quarterback Steven Montez (19), Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Morris Henry during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Javon McKinley (83) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu (26) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Matt Sokol during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Godwin Igwebuike (35) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (10), Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (46) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety C.J. Moore (38) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32), Detroit Lions wide receiver Trinity Benson (17), Detroit Lions cornerback Saivion Smith (19) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (87) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu (26) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety DeShon Elliott during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu (26) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Will Harris (25) during a morning workout at the Lions training facility in Allen Park, MI on April 20, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
5. Dameon Pierce, Florida (sleeper):
5-10, 218. 4.59 40-yard dash.
He has eight years of productive football on his resume, starting with four years and 6,799 yards rushing at Bainbridge High school.
Pierce didn't compile anything close to that in four seasons and 50 games at Florida, but he was a solid contributor with some power.
He rushed for 503 yards on 106 carries as a 2020 junior and 574 on 100 carries as a 2021 senior. He scored 13 of his 23 career rushing TDs in 2021.
