2020 WorldWide Rams Draft Profile: Kenny Willekes | Michigan St | EDGE

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Ed "Pi Double I" Henderson

Player Bio: Kenny Willekes prepped at NorthPointe Christian Middle and High School in Grand Rapids, MI. At NorthPointe Christian, he would have one of the most insane prep careers finishing with 423 career tackles. In his senior year, he finished the season with 162 tackles and 6.5 sacks. He would also rush for 1,400 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns as his first year as a running back. He would be named the 2014 Michigan Associated Press Division 5-6 all-state First-Team, Grand Rapids Press Dream Team, Division 6 by the Detroit Free Press All-State Honorable Mention, and 2013 Michigan AP Division 5-6 All-State Honorable Mention. Willekes also starred as a rugby player that led Grand Rapids Catholic Central to the 2014 Division 1 rugby championship.

​ACCOLADES
2019 BURLSWORTH TROPHY WINNER
2019 ALL-BIG TEN FIRST-TEAM 
2019 TEAM MVP
2018 THE ATHLETIC ALL-AMERICAN FIRST-TEAM 
2019 WALTER CAMP ALL-AMERICAN SECOND-TEAM
2018 THE ATHLETIC ALL-AMERICAN FIRST-TEAM  
2018 ALL-BIG TEN FIRST-TEAM
2018 WALTER CAMP ALL-AMERICAN SECOND-TEAM
2018 BIG TEN DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR 
2018 TEAM MVP
​2018 BIG TEN DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR

KENNY WILLEKES
EDGE

HOMETOWN                      |           CLASS
ROCKFORD, MI                   |          SENIOR (RS)

DRAFT YR:  2020     COMBINE INVITE: YES




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SCHOOL:  MICHIGAN ST                           |                    CONFERENCE:  BIG TEN
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​HEIGHT/WEIGHT:  6-3 / 264         ARMS: 31 1/4"          HANDS: 9 1/2”       PROJECTED 40-TIME: 4.85         

COMBINE RESULTS
BENCH    |    40 YD DASH    |    VERTICAL JUMP    |    BROAD JUMP    |    3 CONE DRILL    |    20 YD SHUTTLE    |   60 YD SHUTTLE
​    32       |           4.87          |             32 1/5”         |             119”          |            7.39            |            N/A               |             N/A
 
PRO-DAY RESULTS
BENCH     |   40 YD DASH    |    VERTICAL JUMP    |    BROAD JUMP    |    3 CONE DRILL    |    20 YD SHUTTLE    |    60 YD SHUTTLE 
​   N/A       |          N/A           |             N/A              |             N/A           |            N/A            |               N/A             |             N/A

GAME FILM
​#48 KENNY WILLEKES VS WISCONSIN (2019)

#48 Kenny Willekes HIGHLIGHTS

Strengths: He has an established quick burst off the first step to getting to the ball. He has that undesirable effort that does not give up on any play. His energy level is outrageous, and he has a commendable hustle on how he plays with a chip on his shoulder. His field recognition is unbelievable on how promptly he processes the action. He has excellent agility and mobility to defend against the run and establish his pad level lower than the blocker to win against the point-of-attack. His hand placement is fair but packs a good initial punch.​

Weaknesses: He needs to put on more muscle bulk as he is slightly undersized for an EDGE Rusher. He struggles to disengage from the blocks due to this uncommonly short arms. It will be difficult for him to counter with his hands because of a disadvantage from the blocker's reach. He will struggle against the more significant and more durable tackles on EDGE because of the weight. He will need to develop better pass rush techniques as the craftier offensive tackles will be licking their chops when he depends on his explosive first step and the fact he never rushed as a standup.
 
Draft Grade: 5.50

Draft Projection: 5th round

NFL Comparison: Morgan Fox

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