The number one running back in the class of 2016, Kareem Walker, has committed to the University of Michigan, according to Yahoo Sports reporter Charles Robinson.
Walker was ranked the 31st best player out of ESPN's Top 300 and is listed as a four-star recruit. Walker could make an instant impact in Ann Arbor, and the amount of talent Jim Harbaugh is bringing in has many believing that Michigan could be a frontrunner in the Big Ten next season. Harbaugh already landed four-star linebacker Devin Bush Jr. on Wednesday, according to Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press.
Walker played high school football at DePaul Catholic High School in New Jersey and was originally committed to Ohio State before visiting Michigan in November, according to Nick Baumgardner of Mlive.com. Michigan struggled to find a legitimate starting running back this season, as junior running back De'Veon Smith only rushed for 644 yards and six touchdowns in his junior season. Towards the end of the season, Michigan struggled to find a strong ground game, and Smith's best game past September was a 73-yard rushing game against Rutgers.
Walker has likely been told that he could have an immediate impact in Ann Arbor, and signing the top high school running back in the nation was a huge recruit for Harbaugh going into his second season. Some thought it would take time for Harbaugh to build a team at Michigan, but after posting a 9-3 record in his first season, the Wolverines look to have a bright future ahead of them.
