Kenny Willekes has had one heck of a ride at Michigan State. He began his career as an unknown walk-on from Rockford, Mich., and has now ended it as the nation’s top former walk-on.
Earning some All-Big Ten honors along the way, along with the 2018 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year Award, Willekes has gone from unknown to hot commodity in NFL circles over the past couple of seasons. He has also broken the career tackles for loss record at Michigan State, surpassing Julian Peterson — although he did do it in two years.
On Monday, he won the Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best former walk-on.