Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III didn’t make the cut as a Heisman Trophy finalist but still brought home major national awards.
Walker on Thursday night won the Walter Camp Player of the Year award, along with the Doak Walker Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding running back.
The offseason transfer addition from Wake Forest has 263 carries for 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns and ranks second in the nation in both rushing yards and rushing yards per game (136.3). Walker last week was named the Big Ten Running Back of the Year.
Walker is the first Spartan to win the Walter Camp Player of the Year award, which began in 1967. Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and Alabama quarterback Bryce Young were the other finalists.
Walker is also the first Michigan State player to win the Doak Walker Award, which has been given out since 1990. Javon Ringer was a finalist in 2008 while Le’Veon Bell was a semifinalist in 2012. Missouri’s Tyler Badie and Iowa State’s Breece Hall were the other Doak Walker finalists this year.
The Heisman Trophy on Monday announced four finalists in Young, Pickett, Hutchinson and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud. ESPN on Thursday night announced Walker finished sixth in the Heisman voting (no vote totals were released) and the award will be presented Saturday night.
Since the Heisman Trophy began announcing finalists in 1982, Walker is the first player to win the Walter Camp Player of the Year award to not be among the Heisman finalists. There was previously no set number on finalists invited prior to the Heisman settling on four this year.
Walker was also a finalist for the Maxwell Award as the nation’s top player, which went to Young while Pickett was the other finalist.
After two productive seasons at Wake Forest, Walker transferred to Michigan State in January because he thought the offense was a better fit and revitalized the program’s running game. He made an immediate impact by posting 23 carries for 264 yards and four touchdowns in a season-opening win at Northwestern and had 23 rushes for 197 yards and five touchdowns in an Oct. 30 win against Michigan. Walker has eight 100-yard games this season and topped 200 yards on the ground twice.
Walker’s 1,636 rushing yards are the fourth-most in a season in Michigan State history. Following a win against Penn State in the regular-season finale, Walker said he anticipated playing in a bowl game.
The No. 10 Spartans (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten) face No. 12 Pittsburgh (11-2, 7-1 ACC) in the Dec. 30 Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
Related Michigan State football stories:
Mississippi State LB transfer Aaron Brule commits to Michigan State
Mel Tucker expects recruiting boost from Peach Bowl in Atlanta
UNLV LB transfer Jacoby Windmon commits to Michigan State
Kenneth Walker III, Kenny Pickett bring star power to Peach Bowl
Pittsburgh OC Mark Whipple resigns, won’t coach vs. Michigan State in Peach Bowl
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