EAST LANSING – It wasn’t that long ago that Kenny Willekes played running back for Michigan State.
Granted, that was never his position. Mark Dantonio used the former walk-on linebacker from Rockford to help simulate former Alabama star Derrick Henry to prepare the Spartans’ defense for the College Football Playoff in December 2015.
Now, Willekes is on scholarship and could be on the path to making a name for himself at defensive end.
Willekes got the start opposite second-year sophomore Auston Robertson at during MSU’s spring game Saturday at Spartan Stadium. It was an eye-opening performance for the 6-foot-4, 239-pound sophomore, who tied for the team high with eight tackles.