Viktor
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,552
- 0
EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings selected a quartet of defensive players in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft, starting with defensive end Kenny Willekes.
The former Michigan State standout was the 225th overall pick in the draft.
Here are five things to know about Willekes.
1. Bringing home the Burlsworth
Willekes won the 2019 Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation's best player who was a former walk-on.
Willekes was a First-Team All-Big Ten selection and Michigan State's Team MVP in his redshirt senior for the Spartans. He is listed at 6-foot-3 and 264 pounds.
ESPN Senior NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kiper, Jr., said Willekes will fit right in with Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer's blue-collar system.
"He'll have to battle his way onto that roster," Kiper said. "I think you look at a guy, a classic overachiever. He doesn't have long arms … but he has that knack for getting after the quarterback.
"He anticipates that snap and wants to beat that offensive tackle out of his stance, and he does it a decent amount of times," Kiper added. "He's the kind of guy I wouldn't want to bet against because he's overcome the odds and became a heck of a player at Michigan State for the Spartans."