Michigan State University Athletics
Kenneth Walker III Selected by Seattle Seahawks in Second Round of NFL Draft
4/29/2022 8:12:00 PM | Football
Walker is the highest Spartan running back drafted since T.J. Duckett was selected in the first round (No. 18 overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft by Atlanta.
Walker, who transferred to Michigan State from Wake Forest in 2021, electrified the Spartans in his only year wearing the Green and White, sparking the team to an 11-2 record and a Top-10 finish in the national polls (No. 8 Coaches, No. 9 Associated Press).
A unanimous first-team All-American who became the first Spartan to win Doak Walker Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year, Walker ranked second in the FBS in rushing in 2021 with 1,636 yards (136.3 ypg). The Big Ten Running Back of the Year and the AP Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Year also ranked eighth in the FBS with 18 rushing touchdowns. His 1,636 rushing yards were the fourth most by a Spartan in a single season in school history; he was the fastest Spartan to reach 1,000 yards in a single season in terms of carries (153 carries). In addition, his 18 rushing TDs tied for fifth most in an MSU season and his 19 overall TDs (one receiving score) tied for fourth most.
"It was amazing," said Walker of seeing his name getting called during the NFL Draft. "I always say it's like when I'm growing up, you see guys on TV that go to this and you dream of this moment. And this day is actually here, so it's surreal and it's a blessing to be in this position."
Next stop: Seattle
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) April 29, 2022
Just the beginning for K9 🚀 pic.twitter.com/j34z2w2btG
According to Pro Football Focus, Walker led the FBS in rushing yards after contact (1,168) and ranked second with 89 missed forced tackles; he also ranked among the FBS leaders in 20-plus yard carries (first with 21), 10-plus yard carries (tied for third with 46), yards from scrimmage (sixth with 143.8 ypg), rushing TDs (eighth with 18), carries (eighth with 263), scoring (11th with 9.5 ppg), total TDs (ninth with 19) and rushing yards per carry (15th with 6.2 avg.).
A Maxwell Award finalist who finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting, Walker had eight 100-yard rushing games in 2021, including two 200-yard games (264 vs. Northwestern on Sept. 3; 172 at Miami on Sept. 18; 126 vs. Western Kentucky on Sept. 25; 233 at Rutgers on Oct. 9; 197 vs. Michigan on Oct. 30; 136 at Purdue on Nov. 6; 143 vs. Maryland on Nov. 13; 138 vs. Penn State on Nov. 27).
Made for the moment. @Kenneth_Walker9 ➡️ @Seahawks
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) April 29, 2022
pic.twitter.com/pWvrZS6rD3
Following a record-breaking performance in the 37-33 win over No. 6 Michigan on Oct. 30, Walker collected several honors, including National Offensive Player of the Week (Walter Camp Football Foundation, Maxwell Award, The Athletic) and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. Walker rushed for five touchdowns, the most by any player ever against the Wolverines, and finished with a total of 197 yards on just 23 carries (8.6 avg.). His scores came on runs of 27 and 8 yards in the second quarter, 1 yard in the third quarter, and 58 and 23 yards in the fourth quarter. He also had 208 all-purpose yards (197 rushing, 11 receiving). 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).
Taking a chance on K9?
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) April 30, 2022
Sounds like a safe bet to us.#SD4L pic.twitter.com/TbvVavuJbK
Walker's 94-yard touchdown run in the third quarter at Rutgers on Oct. 9 was the longest rush in the 125-year history of Michigan State football, bettering a 90-yard by Lynn Chandnois vs. Arizona in 1949. It was also the longest offensive play from scrimmage in school history, topping a 93-yard pass from Tony Banks to Nigea Carter vs. Indiana in 1994. Walker finished with 29 carries for 233 yards against the Scarlet Knights.
Walker had a record-setting debut as a Spartan, rushing for a career-high 264 yards – the seventh-highest total in school history – while scoring a career-high four touchdowns to lead the Spartans past Northwestern on Sept. 3. It marked the most rushing yards by a Spartan in a debut wearing the Green and White. Walker became just the second Spartan to record more than 250 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the same game (Eric Allen, school-record 350 yards and four TDs vs. Purdue on Oct. 30, 1971). On his first carry as a Spartan, Walker sprinted 75 yards to the end zone against the Wildcats.
Walker finished his three-year college career with 2,794 rushing yards and 35 rushing TDs in just 32 games. He had 1,158 rushing yards and 17 TDs in two seasons (2019-20) at Wake Forest before transferring to MSU for the 2021 season.
"When I talk to players and scouts about K9, I talk to them about how humble he is, and his humility," said MSU head coach Mel Tucker earlier this spring. "And how he works. I've never seen him loaf – and that's hard to say about a player. He does not loaf; he doesn't even know how to. He goes at everything full speed. And he's just a great teammate.
"I know one thing, he's going to attack everything, whatever role he gets or whatever team he's on, he's going to hit the ground running. He's going to get after it."
Go be great, K9 💚#SD4L pic.twitter.com/66o2PmYi1I
— Mel Tucker (@Coach_mtucker) April 30, 2022
Walker is the first Spartan selected in the NFL Draft under Tucker.
Below is a transcript from a media teleconference with Kenneth Walker III on Friday night:
(On if he had a lot of contact with Seattle before the draft) "I talked to them during the Combine and then I had a Zoom call with the RB coach, but after that, there wasn't much talking with Seattle until tonight."
(On what he brings to Seattle's backfield) "I believe I bring an explosive and physical running style to this offense. Great vision, in and out of my cuts. Also, I believe I can hit the home run and catch out of the backfield."
(On what clicked for him at Michigan State after transferring from Wake Forest) "When I was at Wake Forest, I felt like I wasn't a great fit for that offense. That's when I ended up making my decision. Going to coach (Mel) Tucker, I had a great group of guys around me, my teammates and a great coaching staff. They put me in a pro-style offense that best suits my skills. I believe that's what helped me have the season that I had and our team."
(On if his performance at Michigan State had to do with the opportunity and having more of a runway) "Yes sir, exactly. That's exactly how I feel that works. Given the opportunity to do more and run the way that I run."
(On if he knew Aaron Curry from Wake Forest) "I do not know. I honestly don't remember if I did, but I don't believe so. I don't remember the name."
(On if he's surprised that Seattle drafted him because he had limited contact with them before the draft) "Yes, actually I am very surprised. At the end of the day, it's a blessing to be on this team. I'm grateful for them giving me that phone call and it means a lot."
(On if he's back home for the draft) "I'm back home with my family."
(On what the moment was like getting the call that he was going to be drafted) "It was amazing. I always say it's like when I'm growing up, you see guys on TV that go to this and you dream of this moment. And this day is actually here so it's surreal and it's a blessing to be in this position."
(On how nice it is that Seattle took a left tackle with their first pick in the draft) "It's going to help a lot. The game starts up front. I always say the linemen don't get enough credit. That's where the game starts and they're the most important so to see that, it's good and exciting."
(On how he would describe his game) "I believe I'm versatile. I'm a physical runner. Explosive. I'm able to run routes out of the backfield. I just play hard and with a chip on my shoulder."
(On his favorite running play) "I would have to say counter. Because I have to be patient during a counter. And it's never just always down the middle. You have a choice. Wherever that second pull guard goes, you go. So, I would say I love counter."
(On if his 40-yard dash time at the Combine helped him) "I felt like it helped me a lot because I felt like a lot of people thought I was kind of slower. Like on film, people question my speed. But being able to run that 4.38, it was great and I felt like it helped a lot during this draft."
