Kenneth Walker III becomes Michigan State’s first-ever Doak Walker Award winner

No Michigan State running back has ever won the Doak Walker Award, but that changed on Thursday night as Kenneth Walker III won it.

It didn’t take long for Kenneth Walker III to make a name for himself this season, taking his first carry 75 yards to the house against Northwestern, setting the tone for the season.

The Michigan State running back transferred in from Wake Forest and had an immediate impact. There was talk all offseason long that he was special and it showed from the first snap of the season until the final game against Penn State. He had a special year, finishing second in college football in rushing and earning some Heisman consideration.

On Thursday night, although he didn’t receive a Heisman Trophy ceremony invite, Walker won the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s top running back.

Walker is actually the first Spartan to ever win the award that dates back to 1990.

The Big Ten is also no stranger to being home to the nation’s top running back as it has secured nine awards as a conference over the past 31 years, led by Wisconsin which has had five winners. Jonathan Taylor actually won it back-to-back in 2018 and 2019.

Walker finished the season with 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns on 6.2 yards per touch. He was a monster for the Spartans and put the offense on his back in a couple of games.

It’s good to see a humble player who dreamed of being the go-to guy on offense finally get an opportunity to be a lead back and excel and win the top running back award.

Kenneth Walker III’s breakout will aid recruiting

While it’s always nice to win a certain first-ever award for your school, you also have to realize you’re doing the program a huge solid. You’re helping with recruiting without even realizing it.

Top high school running backs and even transfers have to look at what Walker did in just one season at Michigan State and realize that they, too, could contend for a Heisman Trophy and win the Doak Walker Award. It’s possible.

It’s likely Walker will be headed to the NFL this season, but what he has done for this program cannot be understated.