Draft Scout Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20 Player News, College Football: Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20

Almost a year to the day after breaking his leg, Kenny Willekes is ready for his Michigan State swan song. As usual, he's trying to think of himself as an underdog. "Always," he said. "That's the way you've got to play, that's the mentality I play with. I play with a chip on my shoulder regardless. I still feel like I got a lot to prove." Willekes already holds a school record with 49 1/2 tackles for loss in his career, and the senior defensive end has nine sacks this season. But the honor that best exemplifies his path at Michigan State may be the one he received earlier this month. Willekes was the 2019 winner of the Burlsworth Trophy, which goes to the nation's most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on.

Brandon Burlsworth was a walk-on who eventually became a standout at Arkansas. He died in a car accident 11 days after being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1999. The award bearing his name has gone to players such as Baker Mayfield and Hunter Renfrow. "It's pretty cool. Everyone loves the underdog. Everyone loves the underdog story," Willekes said. "There's a lot of people that truly are the underdog, and they're working to get noticed, so the fact that they brought that trophy in to acknowledge some of those underdogs and show other walk-ons that there's a way to do it - it can be done, and here's an example of it." Michigan State faces Wake Forest in the Pinstripe Bowl on Friday. For Willekes, it's a chance to finish his college career on a positive note - and another opportunity to move on from his difficult experience last year, when Willekes broke his leg in a 7-6 loss to Oregon in the Redbox Bowl. - AP College Football

(DS#16 DE) Sr/2020

DE Kenny Willekes, Michigan State
News Source: AP College Football
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12/16/19 - Jarrett Horst, rSr/2023, Michigan State, 6-6, 298 (DS#21 OT) + More +

2019 ALL-SUN BELT THIRD TEAM (COACHES): Jarrett Horst, Arkansas State (So., OL, Middleton, Wis.),...The Red Wolves' third-team players included junior wide receiver Jonathan Adams, sophomore offensive lineman Jarrett Horst, junior center Jacob Still and junior linebacker Tajhea Chambers. - Arkansas State Football

(DS#21 OT) rSr/2023

OT Jarrett Horst, Michigan State
News Source: Arkansas State Football
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12/09/19 - Kenny Willekes, Sr/2020, Michigan State, 6-3, 264 (DS#16 DE) + More +

2019 BURLSWORTH TROPHY WINNER: Michigan State's Kenny Willekes was named tenth winner of the Burlsworth Trophy in Springdale, Ark. at a ceremony hosted by the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation and the Springdale (Ark.) Rotary Club. The award is given to the nation's most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on. On hand to present the trophy to Willekes was Marty Burlsworth, Chairman and CEO of the Burlsworth Trophy. Willekes, a preseason All-America selection and last year's Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, has 59 tackles this season with 24 solo tackles, including 6.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. Willekes was named Defensive Player of the Week by the Big Ten and the Walter Camp Football Foundation after recording seven tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks against Tulsa earlier this season.

Willekes, named a Burlsworth semifinalist in 2018, did not receive scholarship offers from any Division I schools. He was invited to walk-on at Michigan State, where he redshirted as a true freshman in 2015. Willekes was named a mid-season All-American by Rivals.com in 2019. Willekes, 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, suffered a broken fibula in a bowl game to end last season and rehabbed in the offseason. He is the active career leader in tackles for loss per game (1.22). Other finalists for the award were University of California safety and returner Ashtyn Davis and University of Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship. - Burlsworth Trophy

(DS#16 DE) Sr/2020

DE Kenny Willekes, Michigan State
News Source: Burlsworth Trophy
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12/05/19 - Kenny Willekes, Sr/2020, Michigan State, 6-3, 264 (DS#16 DE) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM (COACHES): DL Kenny Willekes, Michigan State,...Team captain became MSU's all-time leader in tackles for loss on Senior Day with 2.5 TFLs vs. Maryland and now has 49.5 TFLs in his career...leads MSU and ranks tied for fourth in the Big Ten with a career-high nine sacks...ranks first among all Big Ten defensive linemen with 69 tackles...leads all active FBS players in career tackles for loss (1.27 per game)...has 14.5 tackles for loss in 2019...Burlsworth Trophy finalist...first Spartan defensive player to win the Governor's Award (team MVP) twice...2018 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year and 2018 first-team All-American...has 220 tackles overall in 39 career games. - Michigan State Football

(DS#16 DE) Sr/2020

DE Kenny Willekes, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State Football
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12/05/19 - Raequan Williams, rSr/2020, Michigan State, 6-4, 308 (DS#18 DT) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN THIRD TEAM (COACHES): DL Raequan Williams, Michigan State,...Team captain has started 41 consecutive games at defensive tackle, the longest active streak on the team and tied for the most in the Mark Dantonio era (Shilique Calhoun)...has a career-high five sacks this season...has 41 tackles overall and seven TFLs...ranks 19th in MSU history with 28.5 tackles for loss in his career...also named MSU's Sportsmanship Award honoree...was a third-team All-Big Ten choice by the coaches and media as a junior in 2018 and an honorable mention selection by the media in 2017. - Michigan State Football

(DS#18 DT) rSr/2020

DT Raequan Williams, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State Football
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12/05/19 - Jake Hartbarger, rSr/2020, Michigan State, 6-3, 193 (DS#10 P) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): ST Jake Hartbarger,...Ranks fourth in the Big Ten in punting (43.1 avg.)...has played in 53 career games, one shy of the MSU record...named to final watch list for the Ray Guy Award...has placed 17 punts inside the 20...has booted 16 punts 50-plus yards...was also an honorable mention choice as a sophomore in 2017. - Michigan State Football

(DS#10 P) rSr/2020

P Jake Hartbarger, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State Football
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12/05/19 - Antjuan Simmons, Sr/2021, Michigan State, 6-0, 218 (DS#20 ILB) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): Antjuan Simmons,...Leads team and tied for sixth in Big Ten with 15 tackles for loss...also leads team with 81 tackles...has 3.5 sacks...has started all 12 games (10 at Star linebacker, two at Mike linebacker)...has 147 tackles, including 17 for losses, in 38 career games. - Michigan State Football

(DS#20 ILB) Sr/2021

ILB Antjuan Simmons, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State Football
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12/05/19 - *Josiah Scott, Jr/2020, Michigan State, 5-09, 185 (DS#31 CB) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): Josiah Scott,...Tied for second in Big Ten with three interceptions...tied for fourth in Big Ten with 11 passes defended (eight pass break-ups, three interceptions)...has started all 12 games at cornerback...has a career-high 50 tackles this season along with one forced fumble and fumble recovery...has 93 tackles, 25 pass break-ups and seven interceptions in 29 career games...was a third-team All-Big Ten selection by the media as a freshman in 2017. - Michigan State Football

(DS#31 CB) Jr/2020

CB *Josiah Scott, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State Football
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12/05/19 - Mike Panasiuk, Sr/2020, Michigan State, 6-3, 300 (DS#41 DT) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): Mike Panasiuk,...Veteran on the defensive line has started 40 career games...has posted career highs this season in tackles (33), tackles for loss (9.0) and sacks (2.0)...has 97 tackles, including 18 for losses and four sacks, in 50 career games...this marks the third consecutive season Panasiuk has earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades. - Michigan State Football

(DS#41 DT) Sr/2020

DT Mike Panasiuk, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State Football
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12/05/19 - Joe Bachie, Sr/2020, Michigan State, 6-1, 230 (DS#9 ILB) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): Joe Bachie,...Two-time team captain...recorded 285 career tackles, 22nd most in MSU history...played in 40 career games, including 34 starts...his 27.5 tackles for loss rank 20th most in school history...ranks third on the team with 71 tackles, including 8.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks...named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week vs. Northwestern...was a first-team all-conference pick as a junior in 2018 by the coaches and a third-team choice by the coaches and media in 2017. - Michigan State Football

(DS#9 ILB) Sr/2020

ILB Joe Bachie, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State Football
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12/05/19 - *Cody White, Jr/2020, Michigan State, 6-3, 217 (DS#48 WR) + More +

2019 ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION (COACHES): Cody White,...With senior Darrell Stewart missing the last four games due to injury, White had a big second half of the season to emerge as the team's leading receiver. White had 28 catches for 426 yards in the last month of the regular season (7 for 128 vs. Illinois; 6 for 78 at Michigan; 11 for 136 at Rutgers; 4 for 84 vs. Maryland) to finish with a career high and team-best 58 receptions for 825 yards and five touchdowns.

The Novi, Michigan, native tied an MSU single-game record with three TD catches at Rutgers to go along with a career-high 11 receptions for 136 yards. He ranks among the Big Ten leaders in receptions (fifth with 58), receptions per game (tied for fifth with 4.8), receiving yards (eighth with 825) and receiving yards per game (eighth with 68.8 ypg). In 34 career games, including 25 starts, White has 135 catches for 1,870 yards and 11 touchdowns. He ranks among MSU's all-time leaders in receptions (eighth with 135), receiving yards (14th with 1,870) and TD catches (tied for 19th with 11). - Michigan State Football

(DS#48 WR) Jr/2020

WR *Cody White, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State Football
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11/30/19 - Anthony Russo, rSr/2022, Michigan State, 6-3, 239 (DS#26 QB) + More +

Anthony Russo threw two touchdown passes to Branden Mack and Re'Mahn Davis ran for 105 yards and a score as Temple rolled to a 49-17 victory over Connecticut on Saturday. It was all UConn early as the Huskies used Jack Zergiotis. 51-yard scoring strike to Ardell Brown and Steven Krajewski's 2-yard TD run to grab a 14-0 lead. Russo hit Mack for a 63-yard score to pull Temple (8-4, 5-3 American Athletic Conference) within 14-7, but Clayton Harris nailed a 40-yard field goal 4 minutes into the second quarter to put UConn (2-10, 0-8) up 17-7. The Owls closed to within 17-14 at halftime when backup quarterback Todd Centeio connected with Jadan Blue for a 10-yard TD.

Temple took control of the game in the third quarter. Russo put together back-to-back scoring drives -- hooking up with Mack for a 41-yard TD and adding an 8-yard TD run -- for a 28-17 Owls. lead. Davis pitched in with a 55-yard scoring run, Sam Franklin picked off a Krajewski pass and raced 29 yards for a TD and Temple's lead was 42-17 after three quarters. Tayvon Ruley's 6-yard TD run in the fourth quarter capped the scoring. Russo finished 14-of-23 passing for 247 yards for Temple. Centeio was 4-of-6 passing for 65 yards and added 75 yards rushing on six carries. Ruley ran for 74 yards on nine totes. Mack had five catches for a career-high 171 yards. Temple ran for 262 yards on 33 carries and held UConn to 76 yards on 31 carries. - Temple/AP College Football

(DS#26 QB) rSr/2022

QB Anthony Russo, Michigan State
News Source: Temple/AP College Football
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11/30/19 - Xavier Henderson, rSr/2023, Michigan State, 6-1, 203 (DS#29 SS) + More +

Matt Coghlin kicked a 33-yard field goal with 2:14 remaining, and Michigan State became bowl eligible with a 19-16 victory over Maryland on Saturday. It was hardly an impressive performance for the Spartans (6-6, 4-5 Big Ten) against a Maryland team that had lost eight of its previous nine games, but Michigan State did just enough late. The Spartans drove 74 yards in 12 plays to set up the decisive kick by Coghlin, who also made a 32-yard field goal earlier in the final quarter. The Terrapins (3-9, 1-8) still had a chance after Michigan State took the lead, but Josh Jackson's pass toward Chigoziem Okonkwo fell incomplete on fourth down from the Maryland 47. Xavier Henderson was providing tight coverage on the play for the Spartans.

Brian Lewerke threw for 342 yards for Michigan State but was intercepted twice in the first quarter. The Spartans had all sorts of trouble against Maryland, which had lost each of its previous four games by at least 31 points. The Terrapins took a 16-13 lead in the third quarter on a 63-yard touchdown run by Anthony McFarland Jr., but Michigan State kept them off the scoreboard after that. McFarland finished with 134 yards on eight carries. Each team turned the ball over twice in the first half, the Spartans were also stopped on fourth-and-1 from the Maryland 4-yard line. Lewerke's 1-yard scoring run with 3:08 left in the second quarter gave Michigan State a 13-7 lead at halftime. - Michigan State/AP College Football

(DS#29 SS) rSr/2023

SS Xavier Henderson, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State/AP College Football
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11/25/19 - Kenny Willekes, Sr/2020, Michigan State, 6-3, 264 (DS#16 DE) + More +

2019 BURLSWORTH TROPHY FINALIST: Kenny Willekes, Michigan State University, Defensive End, SR - Willekes, a preseason All-America selection and last year's Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, has 59 tackles this season with 24 solo tackles, including 6.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. Willekes was named Defensive Player of the Week by the Big Ten and the Walter Camp Football Foundation after recording seven tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks against Tulsa earlier this season. Willekes, named a Burlsworth semifinalist in 2018, did not receive scholarship offers from any Division I schools. He was invited to walk-on at Michigan State, where he redshirted as a true freshman in 2015. Willekes was named a mid-season All-American by Rivals.com in 2019. Willekes, 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, suffered a broken fibula in a bowl game to end last season and rehabbed in the offseason. He is the active career leader in tackles for loss per game (1.22). - Burlsworth Trophy

(DS#16 DE) Sr/2020

DE Kenny Willekes, Michigan State
News Source: Burlsworth Trophy
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11/23/19 - *Cody White, Jr/2020, Michigan State, 6-3, 217 (DS#48 WR) + More +

Cody White had career-highs with 11 receptions and three touchdowns and Michigan State kept its postseason bowl hopes alive by snapping a five-game losing streak with a 27-0 win over Rutgers on Saturday. White, who entered with two touchdown catches this season, caught scoring passes of 21, 16 and 7 yards from Brian Lewerke as the Spartans (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) sent the Scarlet Knights (2-9, 0-8) to their 20th straight conference loss. Lewerke was 21 of 30 for 239 yards, Elijah Collins rushed for 109 yards and Matt Coghlin hit field goals of 46 and 36 yards as Michigan State posted its first shutout since beating Rutgers 49-0 in 2016. Rutgers thought it had scored midway through the fourth quarter on a 44-yard field goal by Justin Davidovicz. But a holding penalty took the points off the board and forced a punt.

Michigan State can qualify for its 12th bowl game in coach Mark Dantonio's 13 seasons with a win at home over Maryland next weekend. White has been a pain for Rutgers. He scored the game-winning touchdown on an end around late in the fourth quarter in a 14-10 win last season. The junior's 11 catches tied for the eighth most in a single game for the Spartans and his 136 yards receiving was a season high for him. Michigan State outgained Rutgers 395-140 in total yards and held the Scarlet Knights without a first down in the first half in taking a 17-0 lead. Rutgers finished with seven first downs. Lewerke and White were the show on offense in the opening half, combining nine times for 117 yards, including touchdown passes of 21 yards in the first quarter and 16 with 32 seconds left in the half. - Michigan State/AP College Football

(DS#48 WR) Jr/2020

WR *Cody White, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State/AP College Football
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