Michigan State University Athletics
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Kenneth Walker III Named Finalist for NFL Rookie of the Year
1/18/2023 3:49:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The NFL has announced that former Michigan State All-American running back and Doak Walker Award winner Kenneth Walker III has been named one of six finalists for the NFL Rookie of the Year.
In addition, Walker was named to the NFL.com Offensive All-Rookie Team.
Walker led all rookies with 1,215 scrimmage yards, 1,050 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns and became the second Seattle rookie ever with at least 1,000 rushing yards, joining Curt Warner (1,449 in 1983). He led all rookies with five games with at least 100 rushing yards, the most such games by a rookie running back since 2018.
A second-round draft pick by the Seahawks (No. 41 overall), Walker played in 15 regular-season games, including 11 starts. He ranked 12th in the NFL and first among rookies with 1,050 rushing yards (4.6 avg.; 70.0 ypg) and had nine rushing touchdowns, tied for 10th in the NFL. In addition, Walker had 10 rushes for 20-plus yards, tied for second in the NFL, and his 70.0 rushing yards per game ranked ninth in the NFL. He also had 27 receptions for 165 yards.
Walker tied Thomas Rawls for second place for the most 100-yard rushing games by a rookie in franchise history with five (career-high 167 rushing yards vs. Chargers in Week 7; 109 vs. Cardinals in Week 9; 107 vs. Chiefs in Week 16; 133 vs. Jets in Week 17; 114 vs. Rams in Week 18). He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for October and closed the regular season with three consecutive 100-yard rushing games.
In his first career playoff game, Walker rushed 15 times for 63 yards in a Super Wild Card loss at the 49ers, including a 7-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
The Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year award winner will be recognized during Super Bowl Week in Arizona and presented with a specially designed, Pepsi Zero Sugar-themed trophy. Fans can vote for the winner at nfl.com/voting/rookies/rookie-of-the-year
In addition, Walker was named to the NFL.com Offensive All-Rookie Team.
Walker led all rookies with 1,215 scrimmage yards, 1,050 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns and became the second Seattle rookie ever with at least 1,000 rushing yards, joining Curt Warner (1,449 in 1983). He led all rookies with five games with at least 100 rushing yards, the most such games by a rookie running back since 2018.
A second-round draft pick by the Seahawks (No. 41 overall), Walker played in 15 regular-season games, including 11 starts. He ranked 12th in the NFL and first among rookies with 1,050 rushing yards (4.6 avg.; 70.0 ypg) and had nine rushing touchdowns, tied for 10th in the NFL. In addition, Walker had 10 rushes for 20-plus yards, tied for second in the NFL, and his 70.0 rushing yards per game ranked ninth in the NFL. He also had 27 receptions for 165 yards.
Walker tied Thomas Rawls for second place for the most 100-yard rushing games by a rookie in franchise history with five (career-high 167 rushing yards vs. Chargers in Week 7; 109 vs. Cardinals in Week 9; 107 vs. Chiefs in Week 16; 133 vs. Jets in Week 17; 114 vs. Rams in Week 18). He was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for October and closed the regular season with three consecutive 100-yard rushing games.
In his first career playoff game, Walker rushed 15 times for 63 yards in a Super Wild Card loss at the 49ers, including a 7-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
The Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year award winner will be recognized during Super Bowl Week in Arizona and presented with a specially designed, Pepsi Zero Sugar-themed trophy. Fans can vote for the winner at nfl.com/voting/rookies/rookie-of-the-year
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