Schools to Watch After 4-Star RB Kareem Walker Decommitted from Ohio State
A murky recruiting situation at Ohio State became clear-cut Tuesday night when coveted New Jersey running back Kareem Walker decommitted from the Buckeyes via Twitter.
"It is after much consideration, thought and meeting multiple times with my family and coaches that I'm rescinding my verbal commitment to Ohio State," Walker wrote. "At this point the relationship has changed. I've wrestled with this for a few months and truly wanted it to work out."
His internal struggle with the decision hasn't exactly been a secret during recent weeks, as Walker used an official visit at Michigan in October and later announced plans to spend time at Alabama, Arizona State and Ole Miss.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Those trips were intended to serve as a barometer for his feelings toward the Buckeyes.
"I'm committed to Ohio State. ... These visits are to confirm I'm making the right choice for my future," Walker explained last month, via Tom VanHaaren of ESPN.
His travels were supposed to conclude with a fifth and final official visit to Columbus. The situation seemed to point toward him remaining a member of the Buckeyes class last week when he affirmed his initial choice during a CBS Sports broadcast with recruiting analyst Tom Lemming:
Instead, a lengthy verbal pledge is history. Walker, who committed to Ohio State at halftime of its national championship victory over Oregon, is officially back on the open market three months shy of national signing day.
The 6'1", 210-pound prospect is considered the No. 1 overall running back in composite rankings, setting the stage for a frenzied final stretch as he searches for an alternative landing spot. Walker, a 4-star recruit, is best suited for a one-cut rushing scheme in which backs quickly burst upfield rather than extending plays along the perimeter.
The DePaul Catholic High School senior has rushed for 3,551 yards and 45 touchdowns since 2013, according to MaxPreps.
Ohio State moves ahead in the 2016 cycle with former Wisconsin commit Antonio Williams and scintillating in-state H-back Demario McCall as candidates to earn early carries next season. The Buckeyes may still welcome Walker to Columbus during his college career, though odds are in favor of him returning in a maize-and-blue uniform.
Michigan is indeed the prohibitive favorite entering a new chapter in this recruitment process. The Wolverines carry commitments from three fellow New Jersey 4-star prospects—Ron Johnson, Brad Hawkins and Ahmir Mitchell—who each joined him during his visit to Ann Arbor.
"I think Kareem really liked the entire day. The fans knew who he was. The players knew who he was. Everyone was showing him love," Johnson told Bleacher Report. "He's a rare player. I need him with us at Michigan."
Wolverines recruiting coordinator Chris Partridge previously served as head coach at Paramus Catholic High School in the Garden State, where he led his team against Walker and DePaul Catholic last fall. Partridge has helped spearhead the program's push in New Jersey and also has Michigan in prime position to pluck Paramus Catholic defensive lineman Rashan Gary, the top-ranked overall recruit in America.
Like the Buckeyes, Michigan has managed to assemble impressive backfield depth in its 2016 class. The Wolverines carry commitments from Chris Evans, Kiante Enis and Kingston Davis, but it's clear there remains room for Walker.
"I had a good trip to Michigan. It's the second time I've been there, but the first time with this staff," he said in a statement afterward, via VanHaaren. "The game atmosphere was tremendous; fans really love the team. I enjoyed speaking with the coaches and meeting everyone."
We must wait to learn if trips to Alabama, Arizona State and Ole Miss remain on Walker's radar in the wake of his decommitment. Those travel dates haven't been publicly confirmed to this point, and this development may ultimately alter previous plans.
According to a late October report from Josh Newberg of 247Sports, Walker has also communicated with Florida State "peridocally" this season. He hasn't been to Tallahassee since June 2014, so the Seminoles likely still have strides to make in order to become a serious contender.
Following his journey to Ann Arbor, Walker still has four official visits at his disposal. It isn't clear whether he will still consider utilizing one at Ohio State or if his relationship with the Buckeyes is essentially severed.
Michigan now commands 73 percent of experts' predictions in his 247Sports Crystal Ball, including the past 16 projections.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
