Who is Kenneth Walker III? Kenneth Walker III, born on October 20, 2000, in Arlington, Tennessee, is a rising star in the NFL, currently playing as a running back for the Seattle Seahawks. From his high school days at Arlington High School, where he rushed for 3,485 yards and scored 41 touchdowns, to his college career at Wake Forest and Michigan State, Walker has consistently showcased his talent. His remarkable performances earned him the 2021 Walter Camp National Player of the Year and the Doak Walker Award. Selected by the Seahawks in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Walker has quickly become a fan favorite and a key player in Seattle's offense.
Key Takeaways:
- Kenneth Walker III, a standout from Arlington, Tennessee, made a name for himself at Wake Forest and Michigan State before becoming a star running back for the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL.
- Walker's impressive journey includes setting records, winning awards, and making a positive impact on and off the field, solidifying his position as a key player for the Seattle Seahawks.
Early Life and High School Achievements
Kenneth Walker III's journey to the NFL began in Arlington, Tennessee. His early years were filled with promise and hard work, setting the stage for his future success.
- Birth and Early Life: Kenneth Walker III was born on October 20, 2000, in Arlington, Tennessee.
- High School Career: Walker attended Arlington High School, where he was an extremely productive running back, rushing for 3,485 yards and scoring 41 touchdowns during his prep career.
- High School Achievements: He was named a team captain and nominated for the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State team.
- All-Star Game: Walker was selected to the Toyota East-West All-Star game, where he returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.
College Career at Wake Forest
Walker’s college career began at Wake Forest University, where he quickly made a name for himself.
- College Commitment: Walker committed to play college football at Wake Forest University.
- College Career at Wake Forest: During his two years at Wake Forest, Walker rushed for 1,158 yards on 217 carries with 17 touchdowns.
- School Record: He set the school record with a 96-yard scoring run against Rice, the longest run by an ACC player in 2019.
- ACC Freshman Rankings: In his freshman year, Walker ranked third in the ACC among freshmen with 579 rushing yards.
Transfer to Michigan State and Breakout Season
After two years at Wake Forest, Walker transferred to Michigan State University, where his performance reached new heights.
- Transfer to Michigan State: After the 2020 season, Walker transferred to Michigan State University.
- Michigan State Career: At Michigan State, Walker became the starter and had a record-breaking season.
- National Awards: He won the 2021 Walter Camp National Player of the Year and the 2021 Doak Walker Award.
- Consensus All-American: Walker was a unanimous 2021 Consensus All-American First-Team Selection.
- Big Ten Awards: Walker was named the Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Year and the Big Ten Amos Alonzo Stagg Award winner for the 2021 season.
- First-Team All-Big Ten: He was named First-Team All-Big Ten by both coaches and media.
- School Record: Walker set a school record for the longest rushing play with a 94-yard touchdown at Rutgers on October 9, 2021.
- Debut Performance: In his debut with the Spartans, Walker rushed for 264 yards and four touchdowns.
- ACC Running Back of the Week: Walker was named ACC Running Back of the Week after rushing for 128 yards and three touchdowns against Virginia.
- Heisman Trophy Finalist: Walker finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting for the 2021 NCAA season.
NFL Career with the Seattle Seahawks
Walker’s transition to the NFL has been nothing short of spectacular, quickly becoming a key player for the Seattle Seahawks.
- NFL Draft Selection: Walker was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 41st overall.
- NFL Debut: Walker made his NFL debut in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers.
- First Rushing Touchdown: In Week 5, Walker scored a 69-yard rushing touchdown against the New Orleans Saints.
- Starting Running Back: After Rashaad Penny was placed on injured reserve, Walker was named the starting running back for the Seattle Seahawks.
- Week 7 Performance: In Week 7, Walker rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns against the Los Angeles Chargers.
- Offensive Rookie of the Month: On November 3, Walker was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Month for October 2022.
- Week 9 Performance: In Week 9, Walker rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals.
- Week 12 Performance: In Week 12, Walker had another game with two rushing touchdowns against the Las Vegas Raiders.
- Regular Season Finale: Walker closed out the regular season with three consecutive games with over 100 rushing yards.
- Rookie Season Statistics: Walker finished his rookie season with 228 carries for 1,050 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.
- Franchise History: Walker joined Curt Warner as the only players in franchise history to rush for at least 1,000 yards as a rookie.
- 2022 All-Rookie Team: Walker was named to the 2022 Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.
Continued Success in the 2023 Season
Walker’s performance in the 2023 season has shown his consistency and ability to remain a top player.
- 2023 Season: In the 2023 season, Walker continued his impressive form, rushing for 219 carries and 905 yards with eight rushing touchdowns.
- Week 3 Performance: In Week 3 of the 2023 season, Walker totaled 156 scrimmage yards with two rushing touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers.
- Consistency: Walker has shown consistent performance throughout his career, making him a valuable asset to the Seattle Seahawks.
Records and Statistics
Walker’s career is filled with impressive statistics and records that highlight his talent and hard work.
- College Awards: Walker won the Walter Camp and Doak Walker Awards in 2021.
- High School Records: At Arlington High School, Walker set multiple records for rushing yards and touchdowns.
- ACC Player of the Week: Walker was named ACC Player of the Week multiple times during his college career.
- Michigan State Records: Walker set multiple records at Michigan State, including the longest rushing play.
- Rushing Yards Per Carry (YPC): Walker has maintained a high YPC throughout his career, averaging 4.6 yards per carry in his rookie season.
- Receiving Yards: Walker has also shown his ability to catch passes out of the backfield, averaging 6.1 yards per reception in his rookie season.
- Passing Attempts: Despite not being a primary passer, Walker has attempted zero passes in his NFL career.
- Fumbles and Lost Fumbles: Walker has been very reliable with the ball, having zero fumbles and lost fumbles throughout his NFL career.
- Career Statistics: As of the end of the 2023 season, Walker has 467 carries for 2,058 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.
Impact and Legacy
Walker’s impact on the field and his contributions to the community make him a standout player.
- Impact on the Seahawks: Walker's addition to the Seahawks has significantly improved the team's running game.
- Leadership: Despite being young, Walker has shown leadership qualities both on and off the field.
- Community Involvement: Walker is involved in various community activities, including youth football camps and charity events.
- Social Media Presence: Walker is active on social media platforms, engaging with fans and sharing his experiences.
- Fan Favorite: Walker has quickly become a fan favorite in Seattle.
- Comparison to Other Running Backs: Walker's performance is often compared to other top running backs in the league.
- Injury Concerns: Despite his impressive career, Walker has faced some injury concerns.
- Future Prospects: With his current form and dedication, Walker is expected to continue making significant contributions to the Seahawks in the future.
Kenneth Walker III: A Rising Star
Kenneth Walker III has quickly become a standout in the NFL. From his early days at Arlington High School to his explosive college career at Wake Forest and Michigan State, Walker's journey is marked by impressive stats and numerous accolades. His transition to the Seattle Seahawks has been seamless, with standout performances and a solid rookie season. Walker's ability to break records, earn awards, and consistently perform at a high level makes him a valuable asset to his team. Beyond the field, his leadership and community involvement further highlight his character. As he continues to develop, Walker is set to leave a lasting legacy in football. With his dedication and talent, Kenneth Walker III is on track to become one of the greats in Seahawks history. Keep an eye on this rising star—his story is just beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was this page helpful?
Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.