Kenneth Walker, now known for being a decent, solid running back for the Seattle Seahawks, was more notably known for his career in college and his exclusion from the Heisman ceremony, despite a tremendous season similar to the likes of Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram’s worthy seasons of play.
Kenneth Walker’s impact on the Spartans was undeniably recognizable from the moment he arrived from Wake Forest. In which he brought the Spartans’ record from two and five in 2020 to a much better ten and two in the 2021 regular season. And in that season, he rushed for 1,636 and averaged 6.2 yards per carry and scored 18 touchdowns by air and rushing. In a tough big10 conference with stiff competition and some of the best NFL prospects seen in modern-day college football.
The game that truly defined what should have been his Heisman year that he was robbed of came on a brisk October morning. The Spartans up to that point were ranked 8 in the country, undefeated and in control of their destiny. The Wolverines were projected to have a playoff-worthy season and had one very special player on the defensive line. Aiden Hutchinson, who was invited to the Heisman ceremony, possibly took Kenneth Walker’s spot in some people’s eyes. In that game, Kenneth Walker ran for 197 yards and scored five touchdowns. This set a record for most touchdowns scored against the Wolverines, and within a top 10 matchup, nonetheless.
In comparison to other Heisman running backs in the 21st century. Comparing Derrick Henry through 8 games, Kenneth Walker had 1194 yards on 14 rushing touchdowns with only 175 carries. While Derrick Henry had 14 rushing touchdowns, similarly, but on 180 carries and 1,044 rushing yards. That is 131 fewer rushing yards than Kenneth Walker on five more carries.
Meanwhile, though Bryce Young was undeniably great and deserved to be in the race for the Heisman Award, he benefited more from Alabama’s stature in college football and had more talent surrounding him than Kenneth Walker. They are also incomparable as they play different positions, but to be able to push that many rushing yards in modern college football is unheard of. And by contrast, without Kenneth Walker pushing the team with his talent and abilities, MSU would not have come close to touching a bowl game without him.
Kenneth Walker deserved the 2021 Heisman and set a new standard for most football running backs. Similarly to how they did Ashton Jeanty this past year, as he deserved the Heisman more than Cam Ward. The committee should have chosen them both because they embodied what a Heisman was and stood out as the most outstanding player that year.
