Tag: Kenneth Walker III

Around the Big Ten: What does one former NFL GM think of Kenneth Walker III’s NFL Draft stock?

Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III has soared up the NFL draft boards with a strong season.

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Kenneth Walker III has emerged as one of the top running backs in college football this year, generating considerable buzz that includes recently being named a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award as well as some legitimate NFL draft buzz.

So far this season, Walker has 1,330 rushing yards with 15 touchdowns on 197 carries. Two weeks ago, he had 197 rushing yards and five touchdowns in a win over Michigan. This past weekend, Walker was solid with 122 rushing yards and a touchdown as Purdue pulled off an upset at home over Michigan State.

Former NFL general manager Randy Mueller evaluated Walker and likes his ability to get into the second level and make plays.

“Smallish back who plays with burst and speed. Can be explosive if he finds space in second-level runs. Hops into next lane if his is plugged. Has enough strength in lower body to break arm tackles but he’s not going to run over anyone at NFL level,” Mueller said.

“Runs with adequate vision and feel between the tackles but best in space. He can however make cuts at high speed and likes to bounce outside whenever he can. He has sudden lateral quickness and home-run speed.”

(Maryland 3-star defensive end Dashawn Womack talks Rutgers interest and PSU)

His relative lack of production as a receiver – just 10 catches for 56 yards and a touchdown this season – is certainly something NFL teams will have to vet before the draft.

“Hands are unknown at this time,” Mueller said. “You’d have to work this kid out in order to see his skills as a receiver.”

Mueller is a former vice president of football operations for five years with the Seattle Seahawks who then had successful stints with the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins as their general manager.

He is now a prominent football consultant involved in projects with several professional teams.

 

As for his draft stock, Mueller thinks Walker could find himself in a rather solid spot next spring. The junior running back has certainly elevated his draft stock since transferring from Wake Forest this offseason.

 

“Has playmaking ability but not sure about an every down back,” Mueller said. “Jahvid Best (former California running back, former Detroit Lions running back) is who he compares to. Second round consideration.”

David Bell, Kenneth Walker III shine as Purdue upsets No. 3 Michigan State

Purdue scored another big upset Saturday, and some of the top prospects in the 2022 NFL draft class lived up to the hype

Purdue pulled off another impressive upset against a top-five opponent Saturday, knocking off No. 3 Michigan State, 40-29.

Wide receiver David Bell turned in a dominant performance for the Boilermakers, racking up 11 catches for 217 yards and a touchdown, averaging nearly 20 yards per reception.

Even in a losing effort, Spartans running back Kenneth Walker III continued his impressive 2021 campaign, rushing for 146 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.

The loss is the first of the year for the Spartans, who were coming off an emotional win over rival Michigan.

Don’t be surprised if both Bell and Walker hear their names called early in the 2022 NFL draft.

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Michigan State football RB Kenneth Walker III named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week

Kenneth Walker III named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week

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The accolades keep pouring in for Kenneth Walker III. Michigan State football’s star running back absolutely dominated Michigan on Saturday, racking up 197 yards and 5 (!!!!!) touchdowns against the Wolverines in a major win for the Spartans.

Because of his efforts, Walker has been named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season.

Walker also became the fastest MSU rusher to reach 1,000 career rushing yards, quite a feat when you think about some of the backs that have come through East Lansing.

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See Michigan State RB Kenneth Walker III’s 5 stunning touchdowns vs. Michigan

Michigan State coach Mel Tucker called Kenneth Walker III “a Heisman-type guy.”

By the time there was a minute left in the game between No. 6 Michigan and No. 8 Michigan State on Saturday, Spartans freshman cornerback Charles Brantley was his team’s hero, picking off Wolverines quarterback Cade McNamara to seal the 37-33 victory.

But throughout the game in East Lansing, Michigan State junior running back Kenneth Walker III was, undeniably, the superstar of the day. Quite literally, he carried the Spartans to their rivalry win, accounted for every single one of their touchdowns and helped ensure their undefeated record remained perfect.

Walker, a Wake Forest transfer, entered the game as one of the nation’s top running backs, and against the Wolverines, he reminded college football fans everywhere why.

The Heisman Trophy candidate played like an absolute rockstar, and he finished with 23 carries for 197 yards and five touchdowns, including a huge 58-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.

While Michigan State coach Mel Tucker became the program’s first to beat Michigan twice in his first two contests, Walker’s five trips to the end zone set the record for most rushing touchdowns in the rivalry series’ history and the all-time most by any player against the Wolverines, per FOX Sports’ broadcast.

Breaking tackles everywhere and running through Michigan defenders with his explosive speed, Walker led the Spartans to score 16 unanswered points to come back from what was a 30-14 hole midway through the fourth quarter. He extended plays and created some out of nothing while beating the Wolverines with an average of 8.6 yards per carry. It was also his 10th career 100-yard game.

After his jaw-dropping performance Saturday, Walker’s Heisman odds deserve a big boost, even if it’s usually a quarterbacks’ race. He should be considered a serious contender.

“He’s a special player, he’s a team player and we all know that he’s a Heisman-type guy,” Tucker told FOX Sports about Walker after the game.

Walker also posted his fifth 100-yard game of the season — though he’s had two games with at least 200 rushing yards this year.

After a stunning performance to help keep the Spartans undefeated this season, here’s a look at all five of Walker’s touchdown against Michigan.

Kenneth Walker III runs wild as Michigan State knocks off Michigan

Michigan State completed a 16-point comeback in the second half to beat rival Michigan, and Kenneth Walker III led the way yet again

There might just be a new Heisman Trophy favorite, and a new top running back prospect in the 2022 NFL draft class.

Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III continued his impressive 2021 campaign with an incredible performance in Saturday’s epic comeback win over rival Michigan, racking up 197 yards and five touchdowns as the Spartans beat the Wolverines, 37-33.

Walker averaged a ridiculous 8.6 yards per carry, as the Spartans overcame a 16-point deficit in the second half to beat their in-state nemesis for the 10th time in the last 14 tries.

Another dominant outing by Walker should have him in the conversation as the best running back in next year’s draft class, should he decide to leave school early.

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Kenneth Walker III named to ESPN’s midseason All-American Team

Kenneth Walker III has been named to ESPN’s midseason All-American Team

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If you blinked, you might have missed it, but the college football season is already halfway over and Michigan State football is still undefeated behind the insane play of Kenneth Walker III. His heroics placed him squarely in ESPN’s midseason college football All-American Team.

Here is what they said about the Spartan rusher:

“Walker, a Wake Forest transfer, leads the FBS with 152.2 rushing yards per game — more than 20 yards better than the next player. He’s also averaging 7.1 yards per carry — best among FBS players with at least 100 attempts.”

Walker is on pace to hit 2,000 yards this season. If he can do that, he’ll dominate the end of season All-American Teams too, and then some.

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Michigan State football announces captains for game against Rutgers

Captains for the game against Rutgers have been announced

New to the Mel Tucker era, Michigan State refrains from naming permanent captions at the beginning of the season, but will name weekly captains.

Weekly captains help show the plethora of leadership the Michigan State team has within its locker room.

Every week, the combination of captains have been different. This week is no different, and the Michigan State football Twitter has announced who the week 6 captains will be against Rutgers.

Luke Campbell, Jalen Nailor, Kenneth Walker and Xavier Henderson will be captaining the Spartans this week in Piscataway for a date with Rutgers.

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Michigan State football RB Kenneth Walker getting Heisman Watch attention

Kenneth Walker is getting some serious hype as a Heisman candidate

Michigan State is gaining a lot of attention from the national media after a strong 3-0 start that includes a win on the road against the Miami Hurricanes.

A big contributor to the Spartans hot start is running back Kenneth Walker, who is leading the FBS with 493 yards through three games. Walker has been a menace on the ground this season and he is now gaining national attention for it.

Robert Griffin III’s career as a quarterback has come to an end, but he has now joined the media as a college football analyst and is now going to be a Heisman voter.

So far through 3 weeks of play, Griffin sees Walker as a Heisman candidate.

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