EAST LANSING — The race to replace Kenneth Walker III is underway.
Mel Tucker and his staff added a pair of transfers almost as quickly as last year’s star decided to enter the NFL draft after perhaps the best seasons by any Michigan State football running back. Jalen Berger arrived from Wisconsin in January, and Jarek Broussard will join the program after graduating from Colorado in May.
The Spartans also return former starters Elijah Collins (2019) and Jordon Simmons (2020) as well as 2021 Auburn transfer Harold Joiner to offensive coordinator Jay Johnson’s system.
But another name continues to gain traction in the competition: redshirt freshman Davion Primm.
Michigan State’s Davion Primm, left, runs the ball as A.J. Kirk closes in during the Meet the Spartans open practice on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
“I’d keep an eye on Primm,” Tucker said Monday. “He’s a good player, he’s tough.”
A lot of the same could be said about Walker, a potential second-round pick who might be among the first running backs selected in next months’ draft. He is ranked No. 1 on CBSSports.com’s position rankings.
After transferring from Wake Forest, Walker ranked second in the nation and first among Power Five players at 1,636 rushing yards and 136.3 yards per game, and his 18 rushing touchdowns tied for eighth in the Football Bowl Subdivision. He also led the FBS in rushing yards after contact (1,154), carries of 20-or-more yards (21) and forced missed tackles (89).
Walker became the most decorated Spartan at his position by winning the Walter Camp Football Foundation’s player of the year award and the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back, the first in school history. Walker also won Big Ten running back of the year and earned unanimous first-team All-America honors and first-team…
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