Tag: Kenneth Walker III

Film Sessions: 5 takeaways from Michigan State football’s 2-0 start

5 takeaways from MSU’s 2-0 start when we broke down the film

Michigan State is off to a 2-0 start in the second year of the Mel Tucker era in East Lansing. Two wins matches the amount of wins the team had a year ago, when they went 2-5 in a COVID shortened season.

The best part of MSU’s 2-0 start is that both wins came pretty convincingly and the Spartans dominated both games.

A lot has gone right for the Spartans as they walked into Ryan Field and beat the defending Big Ten West champion Northwestern Wildcats 38-21, and followed it with a 42-14 win over Youngstown State.

We took a look at the film from those two games, and have come away with five big takeaways:

MSU Football RB Kenneth Walker III named Maxwell Award Player of the Week

Kenneth Walker III named Maxwell Award Player of the Week

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The accolades keep rolling in for Kenneth Walker III. After MSU football’s new running back torched Northwestern for 264 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns, Walker has been collecting player of the week awards. The latest came from Maxwell Football, who named Walker the Maxwell Award Player of the Week.

The Maxwell Award is given annually to the top college football player of the year. They also honor the players of the week, like Walker, throughout the season.

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Kenneth Walker III named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week

At least the Big Ten got it right…

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At least the Big Ten got it right.

After being snubbed for the Walker Camp national offensive player of the week on Sunday, Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III received the recognition he deserved by the Big Ten on Monday. Walker was named the conference’s offensive player of the week.

Walker rushed for 264 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Spartans to a week one victory over Northwestern. It was Walker’s first game as a Spartan.

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MSU Football Burning Question: Who will be Spartansโ€™ top offensive threat this season?

Who will be Michigan State’s top offensive threat this season? The Spartans Wire staff offers up a few different players to follow this fall

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Who will be Michigan State’s top offensive threat in what should be a much improved Spartans’ offense this season? The Spartans Wire staff have a few guys in mind to keep an eye on this fall.

With the Michigan State 2021 season set to kick off next week, the Spartans Wire staff is offering up their thoughts and insight on numerous hot topics and burning questions surrounding the team. That includes a look at Michigan State’s offense and who could potentially stand out as the team’s top offensive threat.

Here’s who the Spartans Wire staff thinks will have a big season for the Michigan State offense:

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.

 

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 nationโ€™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.ย 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: