Tag: Kenny Willekes
-
Kenny Willekes is one of the nation’s top players but MSU still has room to grow at DE
Before he was named the Big Ten’s top defensive lineman and earned All-American honors, Kenny Willekes was an unknown. Two years ago, he was still a walk-on at Michigan State, racking up tuition bills like nearly every other student on campus.
Source: MLive.com
-
Recovering Kenny Willekes not likely to be back for spring practice
Kenny Willekes, recovering from a broken leg suffered in the bowl game, likely will miss spring practice.MSU coach Mark Dantonio, who spoke Friday morning to the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association during its clinic at the Lansing Radisson, said Willekes “probably” will miss spring practice.“It’s a 12-week deal,” Dantonio said, referring to the recovery time.
Source: Detroit News
-
Kenny Willekes returning to Michigan State for senior season
Kenny Willekes is coming back for one more season. The final piece to Michigan State’s returning defensive starters is its biggest addition for 2019, as the All-America defensive end announced via Twitter on Tuesday night that he will not enter the NFL draft.“I will be returning to Michigan State for my senior year to pursue the goal of returning to the Big Ten championship with my brothers,” Willekes wrote.
Source: Detroit Free Press
-
Kenny Willekes breaks fibula in Redbox Bowl
Kenny Willekes left the Spartans’ Redbox Bowl game Monday with a broken fibula, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio told reporters in Santa Clara, California. The Spartans were leading Oregon 3-0 with roughly five minutes remaining in the third quarter when Willekes was injured on a pass rush. He was taken off the field on a cart directly into the locker room.
Source: Spartan Tailgate
-
Kenny Willekes, Goins saved Michigan State on way to unlikely careers
To understand the value of Kenny Willekes and Kenny Goins to Michigan State’s football and basketball programs, try to imagine a world where they didn’t exist. Last year’s bounce-back, 10-win football season? Gone. This year’s bowl game? Vanished. The Spartans’ 21-year NCAA tournament streak? That ended at 19.
Source: Lansing State Journal
-
Kenny Willekes emerges as Michigan State Spartans’ terror in trenches
When Kenny Willekes first came across Michigan State’s radar, the coaching staff wondered how the big, physical kid from a small school on the west side of the state had done no better than garnering Division II scholarship offers. When he first arrived on campus as a preferred walk-on, Brian Lewerke was sure Willekes was just another guy. Nothing special, really.
Source: Detroit News
-
How Kenny Willekes went from walk-on to NFL prospect
Michigan State gave Kenny Willekes a chance as a walk-on. The junior All-America defensive end now must decide whether to stay or enter the NFL draft.
Source: Detroit Free Press
-
Kenny Willekes Garners FWAA Second-Team All-America Honors
Michigan State junior defensive end Kenny Willekes has landed on his third All-America team of the 2018 season. Willekes was named to the second team by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), which was released on Monday night. He earned a spot on the first team by The Athletic last Wednesday and was also named to the second team by the Walter Camp Football Foundation last Thursday.
-
Kenny Willekes Named Walter Camp Second-Team All-American
Michigan State junior defensive end Kenny Willekes has been named to the Walter Camp All-America Second Team, the Walter Camp Football Foundation announced on Thursday. The nation’s oldest All-America squad, dating back to 1889, was revealed during The Home Depot ESPN College Football Awards Show.
-
Five Spartans Named to Associated Press All-Big Ten Team
Five Spartans have been named to The Associated Press All-Big Ten team, as voted on by a 27-member panel consisting of writers and broadcasters who cover the Big Ten. Junior defensive end Kenny Willekes, who also a first-team All-Big Ten honoree by the coaches and media, garnered first-team AP accolades, along with junior nose tackle Raequan Williams. Junior linebacker Joe Bachie, sophomore placekicker Matt Coghlin, and junior cornerback Justin Layne picked up second-team honors.
-
Kenny Willekes Named Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year
After leading the Big Ten with 20.5 tackles for loss during the regular season, Michigan State junior defensive end Kenny Willekes has been named the 2018 Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year. Willekes is the second Spartan to win the award (Shilique Calhoun in 2013), which is named after MSU’s Bubba Smith and Penn State’s Courtney Brown and given to the Big Ten’s most outstanding defensive lineman.
Source: Michigan State Official Athletic Site
-
2018 Spartan Football Awards Banquet Recap
The Michigan State football program held its 2018 awards banquet on Sunday afternoon before a crowd of more than 650 at the Kellogg Center on campus. Junior defensive end Kenny Willekes was selected Most Valuable Player (Governor’s Award recipient) by his teammates. Willekes, who leads the Big Ten in tackles for loss with 20.5, becomes the first-ever Spartan defensive end to win the Governor’s Award, which has been given out since 1931.
-
Mel Kiper lists Justin Layne, Kenny Willekes among 2019 NFL draft prospects
Justin Layne and Kenny Willekes each have a season of college eligibility left. However, the Michigan State juniors were listed by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. among the top prospects at their positions for the 2019 NFL draft. Layne was listed as the No. 10 cornerback and Willekes the No. 10 defensive end available for April’s draft in his first list this fall of the top-10 prospects at each position. Neither has indicated they intend to leave Michigan State after this season.
Source: MLive.com
-
Kenny Willekes Named Semifinalist for Burlsworth Trophy
Michigan State junior defensive end Kenny Willekes, who ranks second in the Big Ten in sacks (7.5) and tied for second in tackles for loss (13.5), has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy.
-
Kenny Willekes Continues To Show Spartan Toughness
Michigan State’s junior defensive end from Rockford, Michigan continues to add chapters to one of the better Spartan football stories in years. His performance against Indiana is the latest example of how Kenny Willekes is a great example of Spartan toughness and commitment.
Source: Spartans Wire
-
Michigan State stock watch: Speedy Nailor lives up to name
Three Spartans who helped and hurt their stock in No. 18 Michigan State’s 35-21 win at Indiana on Saturday night.
Source: Detroit Free Press
-
Kenny Willekes putting himself on nation’s radar
What a start to the 2018 season it’s been for junior defensive end Kenny Willekes. The former walk-on seems hungry to prove that 2017 was no fluke, racing out to a hot start, including 17 total tackles, five for loss and three sacks.
Source: Spartan Avenue
-
Brian Lewerke, Kenny Willekes land on award watch lists
College football’s annual two-week watch list season wrapped up in late July with seven Michigan State players in the running for 11 national awards. However, there are a few late additions to mention as quarterback Brian Lewerke and defensive end Kenny Willekes both landed on watch lists this week.
Source: MLive.com
-
Previewing defensive ends for 2018
Kenny Willekes returns for his junior season, coming off a very strong sophomore season that saw him go from unknown former walk-on, to one of the best defensive ends in the Big Ten. He was selected third-team All-Big Ten last year, after leading the team in sacks with seven, and tackles for loss with 14.5. He had 73 tackles, which ranked second in the Big Ten amongst defensive linemen and he played in all 13 games, including 12 starts.
Source: Saturday Blitz