Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Former Spartan All-American Kenneth Walker III Named Super Bowl LX Most Valuable Player
2/9/2026 11:30:00 AM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Former Michigan State All-American running back Kenneth Walker III, who became the first Spartan to win the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and Doak Walker Award in his lone season in East Lansing in 2021, was voted the winner of the Pete Rozelle Trophy awarded to the Super Bowl LX Most Valuable Player.
Walker helped lead the Seahawks to a 29-13 victory over the Patriots at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Feb. 8 with 27 carries for 135 yards and two catches for 26 yards for a total of 161 yards from scrimmage.
"If I would tell myself as a kid right now, I wouldn't have guessed I'd be the one to win MVP, so this is a surreal moment," said Walker, on if he would have believed this could happen growing up. "It doesn't happen without the guys in the locker room."
On Seattle's second field-goal drive in the first half, Walker had a game-long 30-yard run on the second play, then followed two plays later with a 29-yard run that ultimately set up the Seahawks for a 39-yard field goal and a 6-0 lead at the 11:16 mark in the second quarter. During Seattle's first drive of the third quarter, Walker's 20-yard reception for a first down set up another field goal to give the Seahawks a 12-0 lead.
"It was very detailed," said Walker on the offensive gameplan going into the game and the offensive line. "We worked at it all week, last week and this week. We worked on our run game. We knew that was going to make an impact on this game and I give all the credit to those guys."
Walker is the first former Spartan letterwinner to be named Super Bowl MVP; quarterback Nick Foles, who redshirted at Michigan State in 2007 but did not letter and transferred to Arizona, was named Super Bowl LII MVP for the Eagles. Overall, Walker is just the 50th player in the history of the NFL to be named a Super Bowl MVP.
"It means a lot," said Walker on becoming a Super Bowl champion. "It means a lot to me and I know it means a lot to my teammates because we went through a lot of adversity throughout the season. To be able to make it this far is a blessing."
Walker's 135 rushing yards were the most by any player against the Patriots this season. It also marked the most rushing yards by a player in the Super Bowl since Terrell Davis had 157 yards in Super Bowl XXXII for the Broncos. In addition, Walker had 94 yards on 14 carries in the first half alone, the second-highest rushing total for a player in an opening half in Super Bowl history (Timmy Smith, Washington, 131 yards, Super Bowl XXII). Walker's final stat line ranked among the best single-game performances in Super Bowl history (135 rushing yards rank tied for eighth most; 27 carries rank tied for ninth most; 161 scrimmage yards rank tied for 10th most).
"Honestly I feel like I'm just team player," remarked Walker on his role on the Seahawks. "I'm not really focused on my personal gains. I just want to make the best impact on my team in the best way possible."
A unanimous All-American for the Spartans in 2021, Walker led the Big Ten in rushing with 1,636 yards and was named the Big Ten Running Back of the Year. He was selected in the second round by Seattle (No. 41 overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft.
CODY WHITE ALSO WINS SUPER BOWL RING
Cody White, a three-year letterwinner (2017-19) as a wide receiver for the Spartans, appeared in 10 games for the Seahawks during the regular season but was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 30 and did not play in the playoffs. He played 165 snaps on offense and 117 on special teams during the regular season.
White, who is in his second season in Seattle after playing two seasons (2021-22) in Pittsburgh, had three catches for 90 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown in Week 9 at Washington. He spent the 2023 season on the practice squad for the Seahawks. White has 11 receptions for 169 yards and one TD in 30 career NFL games.
Montorie Foster Jr., a five-year letterwinner (2020-24) as a wide receiver for the Spartans, was signed by Seattle as an undrafted free agent in 2025 but was waived on Aug. 6. He re-signed with the Seahawks on the practice squad on Dec. 30 and was on the practice squad during the Super Bowl.
WALKER IN THIS YEAR'S NFL PLAYOFFS
In three playoff games, Walker rushed for a total of 313 yards and four touchdowns on 65 carries; he also had nine catches for 104 yards for a total of 417 yards from scrimmage.
In the Divisional Round matchup against the 49ers, Walker rushed for 116 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries while catching three passes for 29 yards in Seattle's 41-6 thrashing of San Francisco. He scored another rushing touchdown and had 62 yards on the ground overall on 19 carries, to go along with four receptions for 49 yards, for a total of 111 yards from scrimmage in the NFC Championship Game against the Rams.
Walker's 313 rushing yards are the second most by a Seahawk in the franchise's playoff history (Marshawn Lynch, 318, 2014 season). Walker also became the first Seahawk to have more than 100 yards from scrimmage in three straight playoff games.
A LOOK AT WALKER'S 2025 SEASON AND NFL CAREER
Walker led the Seahawks in rushing for the fourth season in a row in 2025 with 1,027 yards and five touchdowns on 221 carries. He started in all 17 games for the NFC West Champion Seahawks and ranked 16th in the NFL in rushing yards while compiling a career-high 1,309 scrimmage yards (1,027 rushing, 282 receiving), which ranked 22nd in the NFL. Walker recorded six games of 100-plus yards from scrimmage, including 133 (97 rushing, 36 receiving) in the Week 18 win at San Francisco that clinched the No. 1 seed and the NFC West title for the Seahawks.
This season marked the second 1,000-yard rushing season of his career (career-high 1,050 yards as a rookie in 2022), and he has rushed for 3,555 yards and 29 touchdowns over the course of 58 regular season games (54 starts) in his four-year NFL career (2022-25). He also has accumulated 4,560 yards from scrimmage in his career (78.6 ypg).
ABOUT THE PETE ROZELLE AWARD
The Pete Rozelle Award is chosen by a panel comprised of 16 media members – broadcast partner analysts, media from the San Francisco Bay Area, New England, and Seattle, Pro Football Writers of America-appointed pool reporters that have attended team practices during Super Bowl week, and at-large members of the national media – and fans interactively through the National Football League's official website, NFL.com.
Running Backs/Fullbacks to be named Super Bowl MVP (8)
Kenneth Walker III – Seattle (2025 season)
Terrell Davis – Denver (1997)
Emmitt Smith – Dallas (1993)
Ottis Anderson – New York Giants (1990)
Marcus Allen – Los Angeles Raiders (1983)
John Riggins – Washington (1982)
Franco Harris – Pittsburgh (1974)
Larry Csonka – Miami (1973)
BRYCE BARINGER PUNTS EIGHT TIMES FOR PATRIOTS IN SUPER BOWL LX
Former Spartan All-American punter Bryce Baringer, who was named the Big Ten Punter of the Year in 2022, punted eight times for 356 yards for the Patriots in Super Bowl LX against the Seahawks, good for a 44.5-yard average. He placed four of his eight punts inside the 20.
FORMER SPARTAN LETTERWINNER SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS (33)
Herb Adderley, CB: Green Bay (I, II); Dallas (VI)
Brian Allen, C: Los Angeles (LVI)
Fred Arbanas, TE: Kansas City (IV)
Carl Banks, LB: New York Giants (XXI, XXV)
Tony Banks, QB: Baltimore (XXXV)
Ed Budde, OG: Kansas City (IV)
Plaxico Burress, WR: New York Giants (XLII)
Kellen Davis, TE: Seattle (XLVIII) #
Billy Joe DuPree, TE: Dallas (XII)
Dixon Edwards, LB: Dallas (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)
Bennie Fowler, WR: Denver (50)
William Gholston, QB: Tampa Bay (LV)
Tom Graves, LB: Pittsburgh (XIV)
Dave Herman, OT: New York Jets (III)
Brian Hoyer, QB: New England (LIII) %
Mark Ingram, WR: New York Giants (XXV)
Greg Jones, LB: New York Giants (XLVI)
Ed Lothamer, DT: Kansas City (IV)
Dave Manders, C: Dallas (VI)
Earl Morrall, QB: Baltimore (V); Miami (VII, VIII)
Jim Morrissey, LB: Chicago (XX)
Greg Robinson-Randall, OT: New England (XXXVI)
Jeff Richardson, OG: New York Jets (III)
Andre Rison, WR: Green Bay (XXXI)
Paul Rochester, DT: New York Jets (III)
Bubba Smith, DE: Baltimore (V)
Drew Stanton, QB: Tampa Bay (LV) %
Devin Thomas, WR: New York Giants (XLVI)
Matt Vanderbeek, LB/DE: Dallas (XXVIII)
Ben VanSumeren, FB: Philadelphia (LIX) *
Kenneth Walker III, RB: Seattle (LX) ^
Cody White, WR: Seattle (LX) *
Bobby Wilson, DT: Washington (XXVI)
Notes:
* on injured reserve and not on active roster during game
^ named Super Bowl MVP
% on active roster but did not play in Super Bowl
# on active roster but inactive on game day
List does not include practice squad players
Walker helped lead the Seahawks to a 29-13 victory over the Patriots at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Feb. 8 with 27 carries for 135 yards and two catches for 26 yards for a total of 161 yards from scrimmage.
"If I would tell myself as a kid right now, I wouldn't have guessed I'd be the one to win MVP, so this is a surreal moment," said Walker, on if he would have believed this could happen growing up. "It doesn't happen without the guys in the locker room."
Our Super Bowl MVP, @Kenneth_Walker9. pic.twitter.com/5Bg7hHau0B
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) February 9, 2026
On Seattle's second field-goal drive in the first half, Walker had a game-long 30-yard run on the second play, then followed two plays later with a 29-yard run that ultimately set up the Seahawks for a 39-yard field goal and a 6-0 lead at the 11:16 mark in the second quarter. During Seattle's first drive of the third quarter, Walker's 20-yard reception for a first down set up another field goal to give the Seahawks a 12-0 lead.
"It was very detailed," said Walker on the offensive gameplan going into the game and the offensive line. "We worked at it all week, last week and this week. We worked on our run game. We knew that was going to make an impact on this game and I give all the credit to those guys."
A historic run. @Kenneth_Walker9 pic.twitter.com/NWXr6mVccI
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) February 9, 2026
Walker is the first former Spartan letterwinner to be named Super Bowl MVP; quarterback Nick Foles, who redshirted at Michigan State in 2007 but did not letter and transferred to Arizona, was named Super Bowl LII MVP for the Eagles. Overall, Walker is just the 50th player in the history of the NFL to be named a Super Bowl MVP.
"It means a lot," said Walker on becoming a Super Bowl champion. "It means a lot to me and I know it means a lot to my teammates because we went through a lot of adversity throughout the season. To be able to make it this far is a blessing."
A power to the offense. @Kenneth_Walker9 pic.twitter.com/X0rZ66lkdD
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) February 9, 2026
Walker's 135 rushing yards were the most by any player against the Patriots this season. It also marked the most rushing yards by a player in the Super Bowl since Terrell Davis had 157 yards in Super Bowl XXXII for the Broncos. In addition, Walker had 94 yards on 14 carries in the first half alone, the second-highest rushing total for a player in an opening half in Super Bowl history (Timmy Smith, Washington, 131 yards, Super Bowl XXII). Walker's final stat line ranked among the best single-game performances in Super Bowl history (135 rushing yards rank tied for eighth most; 27 carries rank tied for ninth most; 161 scrimmage yards rank tied for 10th most).
K9 SUPER BOWL MVP ‼️ pic.twitter.com/l4nl1uWue4
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) February 9, 2026
"Honestly I feel like I'm just team player," remarked Walker on his role on the Seahawks. "I'm not really focused on my personal gains. I just want to make the best impact on my team in the best way possible."
A unanimous All-American for the Spartans in 2021, Walker led the Big Ten in rushing with 1,636 yards and was named the Big Ten Running Back of the Year. He was selected in the second round by Seattle (No. 41 overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft.
CODY WHITE ALSO WINS SUPER BOWL RING
Cody White, a three-year letterwinner (2017-19) as a wide receiver for the Spartans, appeared in 10 games for the Seahawks during the regular season but was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 30 and did not play in the playoffs. He played 165 snaps on offense and 117 on special teams during the regular season.
Call me SUPER BOWL CHAMP from today till forever!!!!!!!!!!
— Cody White (@codywhite_82) February 9, 2026
White, who is in his second season in Seattle after playing two seasons (2021-22) in Pittsburgh, had three catches for 90 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown in Week 9 at Washington. He spent the 2023 season on the practice squad for the Seahawks. White has 11 receptions for 169 yards and one TD in 30 career NFL games.
Montorie Foster Jr., a five-year letterwinner (2020-24) as a wide receiver for the Spartans, was signed by Seattle as an undrafted free agent in 2025 but was waived on Aug. 6. He re-signed with the Seahawks on the practice squad on Dec. 30 and was on the practice squad during the Super Bowl.
WALKER IN THIS YEAR'S NFL PLAYOFFS
In three playoff games, Walker rushed for a total of 313 yards and four touchdowns on 65 carries; he also had nine catches for 104 yards for a total of 417 yards from scrimmage.
In the Divisional Round matchup against the 49ers, Walker rushed for 116 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries while catching three passes for 29 yards in Seattle's 41-6 thrashing of San Francisco. He scored another rushing touchdown and had 62 yards on the ground overall on 19 carries, to go along with four receptions for 49 yards, for a total of 111 yards from scrimmage in the NFC Championship Game against the Rams.
Walker's 313 rushing yards are the second most by a Seahawk in the franchise's playoff history (Marshawn Lynch, 318, 2014 season). Walker also became the first Seahawk to have more than 100 yards from scrimmage in three straight playoff games.
A LOOK AT WALKER'S 2025 SEASON AND NFL CAREER
Walker led the Seahawks in rushing for the fourth season in a row in 2025 with 1,027 yards and five touchdowns on 221 carries. He started in all 17 games for the NFC West Champion Seahawks and ranked 16th in the NFL in rushing yards while compiling a career-high 1,309 scrimmage yards (1,027 rushing, 282 receiving), which ranked 22nd in the NFL. Walker recorded six games of 100-plus yards from scrimmage, including 133 (97 rushing, 36 receiving) in the Week 18 win at San Francisco that clinched the No. 1 seed and the NFC West title for the Seahawks.
This season marked the second 1,000-yard rushing season of his career (career-high 1,050 yards as a rookie in 2022), and he has rushed for 3,555 yards and 29 touchdowns over the course of 58 regular season games (54 starts) in his four-year NFL career (2022-25). He also has accumulated 4,560 yards from scrimmage in his career (78.6 ypg).
ABOUT THE PETE ROZELLE AWARD
The Pete Rozelle Award is chosen by a panel comprised of 16 media members – broadcast partner analysts, media from the San Francisco Bay Area, New England, and Seattle, Pro Football Writers of America-appointed pool reporters that have attended team practices during Super Bowl week, and at-large members of the national media – and fans interactively through the National Football League's official website, NFL.com.
Running Backs/Fullbacks to be named Super Bowl MVP (8)
Kenneth Walker III – Seattle (2025 season)
Terrell Davis – Denver (1997)
Emmitt Smith – Dallas (1993)
Ottis Anderson – New York Giants (1990)
Marcus Allen – Los Angeles Raiders (1983)
John Riggins – Washington (1982)
Franco Harris – Pittsburgh (1974)
Larry Csonka – Miami (1973)
BRYCE BARINGER PUNTS EIGHT TIMES FOR PATRIOTS IN SUPER BOWL LX
Former Spartan All-American punter Bryce Baringer, who was named the Big Ten Punter of the Year in 2022, punted eight times for 356 yards for the Patriots in Super Bowl LX against the Seahawks, good for a 44.5-yard average. He placed four of his eight punts inside the 20.
FORMER SPARTAN LETTERWINNER SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS (33)
Herb Adderley, CB: Green Bay (I, II); Dallas (VI)
Brian Allen, C: Los Angeles (LVI)
Fred Arbanas, TE: Kansas City (IV)
Carl Banks, LB: New York Giants (XXI, XXV)
Tony Banks, QB: Baltimore (XXXV)
Ed Budde, OG: Kansas City (IV)
Plaxico Burress, WR: New York Giants (XLII)
Kellen Davis, TE: Seattle (XLVIII) #
Billy Joe DuPree, TE: Dallas (XII)
Dixon Edwards, LB: Dallas (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)
Bennie Fowler, WR: Denver (50)
William Gholston, QB: Tampa Bay (LV)
Tom Graves, LB: Pittsburgh (XIV)
Dave Herman, OT: New York Jets (III)
Brian Hoyer, QB: New England (LIII) %
Mark Ingram, WR: New York Giants (XXV)
Greg Jones, LB: New York Giants (XLVI)
Ed Lothamer, DT: Kansas City (IV)
Dave Manders, C: Dallas (VI)
Earl Morrall, QB: Baltimore (V); Miami (VII, VIII)
Jim Morrissey, LB: Chicago (XX)
Greg Robinson-Randall, OT: New England (XXXVI)
Jeff Richardson, OG: New York Jets (III)
Andre Rison, WR: Green Bay (XXXI)
Paul Rochester, DT: New York Jets (III)
Bubba Smith, DE: Baltimore (V)
Drew Stanton, QB: Tampa Bay (LV) %
Devin Thomas, WR: New York Giants (XLVI)
Matt Vanderbeek, LB/DE: Dallas (XXVIII)
Ben VanSumeren, FB: Philadelphia (LIX) *
Kenneth Walker III, RB: Seattle (LX) ^
Cody White, WR: Seattle (LX) *
Bobby Wilson, DT: Washington (XXVI)
Notes:
* on injured reserve and not on active roster during game
^ named Super Bowl MVP
% on active roster but did not play in Super Bowl
# on active roster but inactive on game day
List does not include practice squad players
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