Kenny Willekes

• Winner of the 2019 Burlsworth Trophy, given to the nation's most outstanding player that began his career as a walk-on.

• Attended Kirk Cousins' football camp as a youngster.

• Named the 2018 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year after leading the conference with 20.5 TFL as a junior.

OFF THE FIELD

• The 5th of 8 children in the family. Younger brother Charles, Jr. also played on the Michigan State football team; older brother Lourens is a national champion trampoline gymnast; sister Holliann is a lawyer, and sister Allison is a concert pianist. Father, Charles, is a heart surgeon.

• Graduated with his bachelor's degree in chemistry in December of 2020.

PRO

• Selected in the 7th round (#225 overall) in 2020, part of a 15-member draft class, the biggest in Vikings history since going to a 7-round draft.

• Placed on the Vikings Reserve/Injured list on 9/2/20.

• Part of a Big Ten draft class that had the 2nd-most players selected in 2019 behind only the SEC.

• Winner of the 2019 Burlsworth Trophy, given to the nation's most outstanding player that began his career as a walk-on.

• Attended Kirk Cousins' football camp as a youngster.

• Named the 2018 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year after leading the conference with 20.5 TFL as a junior.

OFF THE FIELD

• The 5th of 8 children in the family. Younger brother Charles, Jr. also played on the Michigan State football team; older brother Lourens is a national champion trampoline gymnast; sister Holliann is a lawyer, and sister Allison is a concert pianist. Father, Charles, is a heart surgeon.

• Graduated with his bachelor's degree in chemistry in December of 2020.

PRO

• Selected in the 7th round (#225 overall) in 2020, part of a 15-member draft class, the biggest in Vikings history since going to a 7-round draft.

• Placed on the Vikings Reserve/Injured list on 9/2/20.

• Part of a Big Ten draft class that had the 2nd-most players selected in 2019 behind only the SEC.

2020: MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Placed on Injured Reserve following training camp on 9/2.

COLLEGE

• A 2-time 1st-Team All-Big Ten DE that finished his Spartan career as school record holder with 51 TFL.

• Ended career 3rd in MSU history with 26.0 career sacks.

• Started 38 of his 40 career games, posting 229 career tackles, with career-high 78 stops in 2018 and 2019, adding career-high 10.5 sacks in 2019.

• Won the 2019 Burlsworth Trophy, given to the nation's most outstanding player that began his career as a walk-on.

• Named the 2018 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year after leading the conference with 20.5 tackles for loss.

• The 1st defensive player in school history to win the Governor's Award (team MVP) twice, doing so in 2018 and 2019.

• A 2-time Walter Camp All-America, 2nd-Team in 2018 and '19.

• Suffered a broken fibula in the 2018 Redbox Bowl vs. Oregon but went on to play the entire 2019 season.

PREP

• A 3-time 1st-Team All-Conference honoree at North Pointe.

• 2014 Michigan AP All-State 1st-Team LB.

• Helped lead the Mustangs to an 11-2 record and a trip to the Division 6 semifinals in 2014.

• Helped lead Grand Rapids Catholic Central to the Division 1 state rugby championship in 2014.