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Dec 27, 2021 9:48 pm

2022 NFL Draft Profile: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State

Kenneth Walker III

Kenneth Walker II, RB, Michigan State

Overview

Walker transferred from Wake Forest and played just one season for the Spartans, but it was one that long will be remembered in East Lansing.

He rushed for 1,636 yards, scored 18 touchdowns and became the first ever Michigan State player to win the Walter Camp Player of the Year and the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back. He finished sixth overall in the Heisman Trophy voting — the best for a Michigan State player since 1988 — and was a consensus All-American.

Walker announced on Dec. 16 that he would forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the 2022 NFL Draft.

“It has been a true honor to represent Michigan State University and wear the Green and White,” Walker wrote in a statement posted to Twitter. “I am beyond grateful to Coach (Mel) Tucker and the entire staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to shine under their leadership. As the regular season has come to a close, I would like to announce that I have decided to forgo playing in the Peach Bowl to begin preparation for the NFL Draft.”

Career Honors

  • WALTER CAMP PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENT (Dec. 10, 2021)
  • DOAK WALKER AWARD RECIPIENT (Dec. 10, 2021)
  • CONSENSUS ALL-AMERICAN AS UNANIMOUS FIRST-TEAM SELECTION (AFCA, ASSOCIATED PRESS, SPORTING NEWS,
  • FWAA, WALTER CAMP, ESPN.com, CBS SPORTS, PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS and THE ATHLETIC)
  • BIG TEN CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
  • WALTER CAMP PLAYER OF THE YEAR FINALIST (Dec. 2, 2021)
  • BIG TEN AMECHE-DAYNE RUNNING BACK OF THE YEAR
  • FIRST-TEAM ALL-BIG TEN (COACHES AND MEDIA)
  • DOAK WALKER AWARD FINALIST (Nov. 23, 2021)
  • MAXWELL AWARD FINALIST (Nov. 23, 2021)
  • WALTER CAMP PLAYER OF THE YEAR SEMIFINALIST (Nov. 11, 2021)
  • MAXWELL AWARD NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK (Nov. 2, 2021 / vs. Michigan)
  • THE ATHLETIC NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK (Nov. 1, 2021 / vs. Michigan)
  • BIG TEN OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK (Nov. 1, 2021 / vs. Michigan)
  • MAXWELL AWARD “WHO’S HOT” LIST (Nov. 1, 2021 / vs. Michigan)
  • UNANIMOUS MIDSEASON FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN (ASSOCIATED PRESS, CBS SPORTS, ESPN, THE ATHLETIC, THE
  • SPORTING NEWS)
  • PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK (Oct. 11, 2021 / vs. Rutgers)
  • MAXWELL AWARD PLAYER OF THE WEEK (Sept. 8, 2021 / vs. Northwestern)
  • BIG TEN OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK (Sept. 6, 2021 / vs. Northwestern)
Kenneth Walker III
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Career Notes

  • Transfer from Wake Forest has played in 32 collegiate games (20 at Wake Forest from 2019-20, 12 at Michigan State in 2021).
  • joined the Spartan program in January 2021 and participated in spring practice.
  • became the first ever Michigan State player to win the Walter Camp Player of the Year and the Doak Walker Award.
  • finished sixth overall in the Heisman Trophy voting, the best showing for a Spartan since 1988.
  • named a consensus All-American as a unanimous First-Team selection (AFCA, Associated Press, Sporting News, FWAA, Walter Camp, ESPN.com, CBS Sports, Pro Football Focus And The Athletic).
  • named one of five finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award – the nation’s fourth-oldest college football honor.
  • named the Big Ten Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year.
  • earned first-team All-Big Ten by both coaches and media.
  • named one of three finalists for both for the Maxwell Award and the Doak Walker Award.
  • named a first-team midseason All-American by The Associated Press, CBS Sports, ESPN.com, The Athletic and The Sporting News.
  • named one of 15 semifinalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year.
  • has 2,794 rushing yards on 480 carries (5.8 ypc / 87.3 ypg) with 35 career rushing TDs (rushed for 1,158 yards and 17 touchdowns on 217 carries in just 20 games during his first two seasons with the Demon Deacons / has 1,636 yards on 263 carries (6.2 ypc / 136.3 ypg) with 18 rushing TDs for the Spartans).
  • has 3,069 all-purpose yards (2,794 rushing / 136 receiving / 139 kick return).
  • currently ranks No. 13 among active FBS players (No. 6 among juniors) and No. 54 for all NCAA divisions in yards per carry (5.8).
  • also tied for No. 7 among active career FBS players for career rushing TDs (35) and tied for No. 32 among all NCAA divisions, as well as tied for No. 8 among career FBS players for total TDs (36), No. 20 for rushes per game (14.5) and No. 23 for career rushing yards (2,772).
  • one of just 67 current FBS players with 3,000 all-purpose yards, currently ranked No. 59 with 3,069, and also No. 39 with 95.9 career all-purpose yards per game.
  • has two 200-yard rushing outings in career (two at Michigan State in 2021) and 13 100-yard rushing games in career (two at Wake Forest in 2019; three at Wake Forest in 2020; eight at Michigan State in 2021).



2021 SEASON

  • Became the first ever Michigan State player to win the Walter Camp Player of the Year and the Doak Walker Award.
  • finished sixth overall in the Heisman Trophy voting, the best showing for a Spartan since 1988.
  • named a consensus All-American as a unanimous First-Team selection (AFCA, Associated Press, Sporting News, FWAA, Walter Camp, ESPN.com, CBS Sports, Pro Football Focus And The Athletic).
  • named one of five finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award – the nation’s fourth-oldest college football honor.
  • named the Big Ten Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year.
  • earned first-team All-Big Ten by both coaches and media.
  • currently ranks second in the FBS in rushing, averaging 136.3 yards per game.
  • has led the FBS in rushing for all but three weeks of the season, but in limited action at Ohio State (11/20), with six carries for 25 yards and only played one series in the second half, but bounced back with 138 yards on 30 carries and a TD vs. Penn State (11/27).
  • also leads the FBS in rushing yards after contact (first with 1,154, 140 yards more than No. 2 ranked), 20-plus yard carries (first with 21) and missed forced tackles (first with 89, 11 more then second-ranked player), and also ranks among the nation’s leaders in total rushing yards (second with 1,636), 10-plus yard carries (tied for second with 46), total touchdowns (fourth with 19), rushing touchdowns (fifth with 18), yards from scrimmage (fourth with 144.3 ypg), all-purpose yards (ninth with 141.9 ypg) and yards per carry (14th with 6.21).
  • also among nation’s leaders for 30+ yard rushes (tied for seventh with 7), 30+ yards (tied for fourth with 8), 40+ yards (tied for eighth with 4), 50+ yards (tied for second with 4), 60+ yards (tied for fifth with 2), 70+ yards (tied for second with 2), 80+ yards (tied for second with 1); 90+ yards (tied for first with 1; one of just 13 players in FBS with 1).
  • was second-fastest FBS player to 1,000 yards and is currently one of just 45 FBS players with over 1,000 yards.
  • first carry of Michigan game was for 8 yards, putting over the 1,000-mark for the season.
  • became the fastest Spartan to reach 1,000 yards in terms of carries in MSU history (153 carries; previous, Javon Ringer in 2007 with 154).
  • with the 1,725 B1G leading all-purpose yards, joins teammate Jayden Reed (1,567 yards) as not only two of the 14 players in B1G with 1,000 all-purpose yards, but No. 1 and No. 2 in the B1G forming the first set of teammates in B1G and now one of only four sets (No. 3 TreVeyon Henderson with 1,476 yards and No. 6 Jaxon Smith-Njigba with 1,322 yards, of Ohio State; No. 4 Hassan Haskins with 1,326 and No. 8 Blake Corum with 1,306, of Michigan; T-No. 5 Tyler Goodson with 1,325 and No. 12 Charlie Jones with 1,177 yards, of Iowa).
  • also with Reed forms the first set in the FBS with over 1,000+ all-purpose yards, now one of 18 sets of teammates in FBS.
    according to Pro Football Focus, leads the country in rushing yards after contact (1,154, with 140 more yards than No. 2), missed tackles forced after a rush (89, 11 more than No. 2) and breakaway rushing yardage (881, 103 more yards than No. 2).
  • also leads the B1G in rushing TDs (tied for first with 18), total TDs (tied for first with 19 (18 rushing, one receiving) and all-purpose yards (1,725 yards; 143.8 ypg) along with ranking third in the league in scoring (114 points, 9.5 ppg) and fifth in yards per carry (6.2).
    is tied for the seventh-longest rush in FBS this season with a 94-yarder vs. Rutgers (10/9/21), that is also tied for eighth-longest offensive play in FBS.
  • the 94-yard TD run was the longest rush in school history, bettering a 90-yard by Lynn Chandnois vs. Arizona in 1949.
  • it was also the longest offensive play from scrimmage in school history, topping the 93-yard pass from Tony Banks to Nigea Carter vs. Indiana in 1994.
  • teamed with quarterback Payton Thorne (339 yards passing) and wide receiver Jalen Nailor (221 yards receiving) to register the first time in Michigan State program history to have individuals with a 300-yard passing game, 200-yard rushing game and 200-yard receiving in the same game, and MSU becoming only the fifth team in FBS history to accomplish that feat, and first since 2008.
  • held the B1G season-highs for single-game outings for points (24) and touchdowns (4) in Northwestern game (9/3) from Week 1 to Week 7, until topping that with both for points (30) and TDs (5) in Michigan game (10/30) in Week 8 and the five TDs and 30 points are also tied for the most in FBS.
  • is one of two B1G players this season with two games of 200+ yards (Chase Brown of Illinois) and one of six players in FBS with two games of 200-yards rushing (Chase Brown of Illinois; 257, 223 / Tyler Badie of Missouri; 254, 209, 209, 203, 219 / Tyler Allgeier of BYU; 266, 218 / Charles Williams of UNLV; 266, 221 / Lew Nichols of Central Michigan; 219, 25), and was the only FBS player to register both in a conference game until Week 11 when Badie of Missouri joined as only two players in FBS.
  • the 264-yard outing at Northwestern is second-most in B1G and tied for the fifth-most in the FBS this season and is also the second-most in a conference contest, while the 233-yard game at Rutgers is No. 4 in B1G and No. 14 in FBS, for the only player with multiple games on the top 14 single-game rushing yards in FBS.
  • ranked No. 23 in FBS in all-purpose yards for single game with 264 yards vs. Northwestern (9/3/21) and No. 31 with 246 at Rutgers (10/9/21).
  • posted back-to-back 100-yard outings as part of a total of rushing for a century or more in eight of the 12 games, including the top two and four of the top five on the road, with 264 at Northwestern, 233 at Rutgers, 197 at home vs. Michigan, 172 at Miami, 143 at home vs. Maryland, 138 at home vs. Penn State, 136 at Purdue, 126 at home vs. Western Kentucky.
  • had at least one TD in each of the first three games, with a career-best four rushing TDs in the opener at Northwestern; adding one rushing score in Week 2 vs. Youngstown State and first career TD reception in Week 3 at Miami; but was kept out of the end zone in Week 4 Nebraska game, before bouncing back with three rushing TDs in Week 5 vs. Western Kentucky and one rushing score in Week 6 at Rutgers; then after getting kept out of end zone in Week 7 at Indiana; erupting for five TDs vs. Michigan in Week 8, on a Michigan defense that had only yielded three rushing scores all season with two in the first half and three in the second half with two coming in the fourth quarter, including the game-winner with 5:08 left; one rushing TD at Purdue in Week 9; rushed for two TDs vs. Maryland in Week 10; was kept out of end zone in Week 11 at Ohio State, for just second game this season without a TD; rebounded with one rushing TD vs. Penn State in Week 12.
  • has at least one rushing TD in eight of the 12 games and 18 rushing TDs overall on the season (1.5 rushing TD/game), adding one receiving TD for 19 total TDs (1.6 total TD/game).
  • the 18 rushing TDs is tied for fifth-most in an MSU season, and the most since Jeremy Langford’s school-record tying 22 in 2014, while
  • the 19 overall TDs are tied for fourth-most TDs in program history, also the most since Langford’s school-record tying 22 in 2014.
  • has at least one rush of 23-plus yards in nine of the 12 games, with an FBS-leading 21 total rushes of 20+ yards, with a long of 94-yards for a TD at Rutgers, followed by 75-yards for a TD in the season-opener at Northwestern, a 58-yard TD scamper vs. Michigan, a 36-yard scamper vs. Maryland, a 35-yard run vs. Penn State, a 33-yard, 29-yard and 28-yard run at Purdue, a 27-yard TD run vs. Michigan and a 27-yard scamper vs. Penn State, 26-yard run vs. Maryland, 26-yard and 24-yard scampers at Miami, 24-yards vs. Youngstown State, a 23-yard run vs. Nebraska and a 23-yard TD run vs. Michigan, a 21-yarder vs. Maryland, but was held to just a long of 15-yards in Western Kentucky game and a long of 13-yard at Indiana.
  • recorded eighth 100-yard rushing game of the season with 138 yards on a career-high tying 30 carries vs. Penn State, scoring one TD on a 2-yard run in the first quarter, rushing for a long of 35-yards.
  • held to season lows in yards (25) and carries (6), and had 29 yards from scrimmage overall (4-yard reception) at Ohio State, and only played in one series in the second half.
  • collected seventh 100-yard rushing game of the season with 143 yards on a career-high 30 carries vs. Maryland.
  • also tallied 172 all-purpose yards (two catches for 29 yards, including season-long 17-yarder); has totaled 150-plus all-purpose yards in six games this season.
  • scored two touchdowns (1 yard in second quarter; 3 yards in fourth quarter).
  • posted sixth 100-yard rushing outing of the season with 136 yards on 22 carries (6.2 ypc) at Purdue, and scored 15th rushing TD and 16th overall TD of the season with a 14-yard score in the second quarter, adding two catches for 20 yards to finish with 166 all-purpose yards.
  • was named the Big Ten Player of the Week, Maxwell Award National Player of the Week, The Athletic National Player of the Week and PFF Player of the Week for standout performance vs. Michigan, rushing for five touchdowns (27 yards and 8 yards in second quarter; 1 yard in third quarter; 58 yards and 23 yards in fourth quarter), the most ever by any opposing player against Michigan.
  • according to PFF, was the highest-graded single-game rushing grade vs. Michigan in the PFF College Era (90.8), bettering previous mark of Dalvin Cook of Florida State (88.4) in 2016 and Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin (81.6) in 2019.
  • the five TDs tied for the second most in school history (record: six by Blake Ezor vs. Northwestern in 1989; five by Javon Ringer vs. Eastern Michigan in 2008).
  • the five rushing TDs were the most by any player in the 114-game history of the rivalry.
  • three rushing TDs came in second half alone on a Michigan defense that came into game only allowing only three rushing TDs all season.
  • rushed for 197 yards on 23 carries (8.6 avg.), the third most by a Spartan against Michigan (T.J. Duckett with 211 yards in 2001; DeAndra Cobb with 205 in 2004).
  • also had three catches for 11 yards to for 208 all-purpose yards, marking third time this year with more than 200 all-purpose yards in a game this season.
  • had 23 carries for 84 yards at Indiana, marking third straight game with 20-plus carries, as part of fifth in the seven games this season.
    finished game at Rutgers with 24 carries for 233 yards, highlighted by the 94-yard run that was the longest rush in SHI Stadium history overall by any player home or visitor, bettering the previous record of 91 yards by Mohamed Sanu of Rutgers vs. Tulane in 2010, and added one reception for 13 yards to finish with 246 all-purpose yards.
  • posted third 100-yard rushing game of the season with 126 yards on 24 carries in Western Kentucky contest, scoring three touchdowns in the first half (5, 5 and 3 yards).
  • had 19 carries for 61 yards against Nebraska, including a 23-yard gain on MSU’s first play in OT, setting up game-winning field goal.
    registered second 100-yard rushing outing of the season, with 172 yards on 27 carries at Miami, and recorded first reception of the season with a second-quarter catch and later snared the first TD reception of his collegiate career with a 7-yard TD pass from Thorne, finishing game with three catches for 17 yards and a TD.
  • had seven carries for 57 yards (8.1 ypc) with a 6-yard TD rush in limited action against Youngstown State, pushing and carrying several YSU defenders with him to the end zone.
  • was named the Big Ten Player of the Week and Maxwell Award National Player of the Week after erupting onto the scene in Spartan debut, taking handoff on opening offensive play of game and scampering 75 yards for opening TD, the first of four rushing touchdowns and ending with career-high 264 yards – the seventh-highest total in MSU history – on 23 carries.
  • it marked the most rushing yards by a Spartan in a debut wearing the Green and White.
  • was the first time a Spartan scored four rushing TDs in a game since Edwin Baker in 2010 vs. Minnesota.
  • according to ESPN Stats and Information, is the first Big Ten running back with 250-plus rushing yards and four rushing TDs in a single game since Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) in 2014.
  • according to Sports Info Solutions, since they began tracking yards after contact in 2016, no Big Ten running back has generated more in a conference game than his 187 in Northwestern game, bettering previous top mark of 185 by Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin) in 2017 and 182 by Saquon Barkley (Penn State).
  • was the first Spartan to record more than 200 rushing yards in a game since Le’Veon Bell (2012 at Minnesota, 266 yards).
  • the 264 yards are the most by a Spartan running back in an MSU season opener.
Kenneth Walker III
USA Today Sports Images

2020 SEASON (WAKE FOREST)

  • Rushed for 579 yards for the second year in a row.
  • ranked tied for third in the ACC in rushing touchdowns (13) and eighth in rushing.
  • played in seven games overall (284 snaps).
  • his 13 rushing TDs tied for third most in a Wake Forest single-season.
  • had three rushing touchdowns against Syracuse, marking his third game of the season with three rushing TDs.
  • also had 79 rushing yards against the Orange.
  • led the team with 23 carries for a net of 66 yards and a touchdown vs. Virginia Tech.
  • busted out a 75-yard touchdown vs Virginia to bolster his 128-yard, three-TD game against the Cavaliers, on his way to being named
  • ACC Running Back of the Week.
  • rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown vs. Campbell, averaging 9.5 yards per carry.
  • ran for a career-high 131 yards on 27 carries with three touchdowns at NC State, including six runs of 10 or more yards.
  • was named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List.



2019 SEASON (WAKE FOREST)

  • Ranked third in the ACC among freshmen with 579 rushing yards (44.5 ypg) on 98 carries (5.9 avg.) with four touchdowns.
  • played in all 13 games for a total of 295 snaps.
  • his 5.9 yards per carry on the season (98 for 579) would have been the third-best season yards per carry average in school history had
  • he had two more carries.
  • tallied a pair of 100-yard games with 125 yards at Rice (9/6) and 113 vs. Duke (11/23).
  • set the school record with a 96-yard scoring run vs. Rice, which was also the longest run by an ACC player in 2019.
  • his 13.9 yards per carry vs. Rice (nine carries, 125 yards) was the fifth-best in school history and the best-ever by a Wake Forest freshman.
  • was the leading rusher in three consecutive games, including outings vs. Rice, North Carolina (94 yards) and Elon (91 yards).
  • became the first freshman at Wake since 2000 to lead the team in rushing in three consecutive games.
  • led the team in rushing vs. NC State (56 yards).
  • totaled a season-high 17 carries in the win over the Blue Devils.
  • finished third on the team with 14 plays of 20 or more yards including a team-high nine carries of 20 yards or longer.
  • added a team-high five kickoff returns of 20 yards or longer.

HIGH SCHOOL

Was an extremely productive running back at Arlington High School in Tennessee near Memphis, rushing for 3,485 yards on 493 carries, including 13 100-yard games, with 41 touchdowns in his prep career.
also had 64 catches for 1,058 yards and 16 TDs.
played for Coach Adam Sykes.
rushed for 1,403 yards as a senior with 27 touchdowns despite missing three games.
was named a team captain.
nominated for the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State team.
named first team all-region at running back and kick returner.
selected to the Toyota East-West All-Star game where he returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.
scored five touchdowns against Raleigh Egypt.
also had five touchdowns against St. George’s.
gained 167 yards rushing vs. Houston with three receptions for 51 yards while also leading the team in tackles.
led the Tigers to the 6A state playoffs.
rushed for 1,205 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior with seven 100-yard games.
named first-team All-Region 7-6A at running back and second team as a kick returner.
carried 175 times for 1,205 yards and 17 touchdowns while compiling seven 100-yard rushing games.
added 22 receptions for 411 yards and six touchdowns.
as a sophomore in 2016, rushed 118 times for 877 yards and eight scores with four 100-yard games.
caught 28 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns.

PERSONAL

  • son of Kenneth Walker, Jr. and Shaunteshia Brown.
  • communication major.




–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)

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