Tag: Kenneth Walker III

Top five Big Ten running backs heading into 2021

Where does the #Buckeyes Master Teague rank in our top five?

The college football season (and Ohio State) is kicking off in less than a month and now is a good time to get familiar with the best the Big Ten has to offer. With Trey Sermon gone, where will returning stud Master Teague rank within the Big Ten? Is he a top-five back in the league, even with others pushing him?

The conference does not appear to be as flush with running backs as previous years, but there are still some talented backs. If you haven’t kept up with things, this list may surprise you. A few of these guys may hear their name called relatively early in next year’s NFL draft.

Here is how we see the top five running backs in the Big Ten shaking out before all the games are played in 2021.

 

Michigan State football RB Kenneth Walker III makes Doak Walker Award watch list

Michigan State football RB Kenneth Walker III makes Doak Walker Award watch list

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It’s officially watch list season! One of the telltale signs that football is fast approaching is the start of watch list season for the different annual awards in college football. On Wednesday, the Doak Walker Award watch list was revealed, and new Michigan State football running back Kenneth Walker III made the 82-player list.

The Doak Walker Award is given to the top running back in college football.

Walker is the first Spartan to be named to a watch list this summer, which is fitting considering how high the team seems to be on their new transfer.

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MSU RB Kenneth Walker listed in Big Ten top 10 transfer rankings

Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker is continuing to get some love in preseason rankings

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Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker is continuing to get some love in preseason rankings.

Nick Kosko of 247Sports put together a top 10 rankings of Big Ten transfer additions last week, and on that list is the Spartans’ new projected running back starter. Walker was listed at No. 10 on the list and was the only Spartan to crack Kosko’s top 10.

Here’s what Kosko had to say about Walker:

“Upon entering the transfer portal in early January, Walker got the chance to see what else might be out there for him. His gaze settled on MSU, a place that featured one of the nation’s worst rushing offenses in 2020, but also a place with an energetic new coaching staff and a system better suited for his skill set. In two seasons with the Demon Deacons, Walker finished with 1,158 yards, 17 touchdowns, 5.3 yards per carry, six catches and 47 receiving yards. He should give the Spartans a boost in the backfield during their rebuilding phase.”

As I mentioned to start this post, Walker has been getting a ton of hype and love in these types of rankings. Hopefully, Walker can live up to the hype because if he does, then Michigan State has struck gold through the transfer portal.

Click here to read the full story from 247Sports.

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MSU’s Kenneth Walker listed in top 10 RB transfers ranking by Rivals

Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker is considered one of the top transfer running backs in the country

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Michigan State newcomer Kenneth Walker is considered one of the top transfer running backs in the country.

Rivals National Columnist Mike Farrell released a top 10 list of running backs that transferred to a new school this offseason, and on his list is Walker. The former Wake Forest running back is ranked at No. 4 in Farrell’s list, and is the only Big Ten player listed.

Here’s what Farrell had to say about Walker and the impact he can have for Michigan State this season:

“This is a quiet one but really a great get by the Spartans as Walker was excellent for Wake Forest and has shown the ability to compete at the Power Five level. He brings needed speed.”

Walker comes to Michigan State with plenty of hype, and this ranking by Farrell will only increase that. In his two seasons at Wake Forest, Walker rushed for 1,158 yards and 17 touchdowns on only 217 carries.

Click on the tweet below to see the complete rankings from Farrell:

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Which Spartans are most likely to be drafted next year

After 80 years of having a player drafted into the NFL, the 2021 draft saw no Spartans selected for the first time since 1940.

The streak ended. After 80 years of having a player drafted into the NFL, the 2021 draft saw no Spartans selected for the first time since 1940. Shakur Brown had the best chance to get drafted, but ultimately ended up going undrafted.

Now this upcoming football season can set the precedent for starting a new draft streak. Let’s take a look at the players with the best chances to get drafted next season:

Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III listed in top 5 returning RBs by PFF

Kenneth Walker racked up 579 yards and 13 touchdowns on 119 rushing attempts this past season with Wake Forest.

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It was considered a huge get when Michigan State landed Kenneth Walker III through the transfer portal in December, and that has only been further proven by Pro Football Focus (PFF).

Walker, who was at Wake Forest prior to transferring to Michigan State, has been listed as the No. 5 returning running back in the country by PFF. The college and pro football evaluation service listed him with an 87.1 grade.

Walker racked up 579 yards and 13 touchdowns on 119 rushing attempts this past season with Wake Forest. He also had 579 yards and four touchdowns in his freshman season, making him someone who certainly can have an instant impact for the Spartans next season.

Walker will be joined in the Spartans’ backfield by Auburn transfer Harold Joiner, Jordan Simmons, Elijah Collins and Connor Heyward. It’s safe to say Michigan State is in a good spot at running back entering the 2021 season.

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