Scouting the 2020 NFL Draft: Kenny Willekes, Edge, Michigan State

By Bryan Perez | May 9, 2019

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs into the tackle of Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

In the latest installment of our ‘Scouting the 2020 NFL Draft’ series, we focus on Michigan State edge defender Kenny Willekes, who will join players like Ohio State’s Chase Young and Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa as one of the top pass-rushing prospects in the country this season.

The 2020 NFL draft has some strong potential to be a good one for teams that will be searching for tough, physical and athletic pass rushers in the early rounds, including Michigan State’s Kenny Willekes.

The redshirt senior will begin the 2019 season with 25 starts already under his belt, including the last 18 straight games. Willekes enjoyed a productive 2018 campaign that resulted in numerous All-American honors, including a first-team nod from the Athletic. He was a first-team All-Big-10 selection by the conference’s coaches and the media after registering 78 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss. He led all FBS defensive linemen in tackles and had the most tackles for loss in the Big 10. He had the conference’s highest pass-rushing grade from Pro Football Focus (90.3).

Over the last two seasons, Willekes has 150 tackles, 13.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss. Production, obviously, is not an issue.

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Physically, Willekes is a thick, low-cut guy who’s unofficially listed at 6-4, 262 pounds. He’s probably at his maximum weight right now; any added weight will hinder his athleticism and movement skills, neither of which is elite.

Athletically, Willekes changes directions well and has good enough short-area quickness. His closing speed is impressive and he has good initial burst off the snap. He flashes good power at times, too, but he tends to get neutralized by the bigger/stronger offensive linemen if he doesn’t win with his first step.

As a pass rusher, Willekes hunts the quarterback with an aggressive mentality. His pass-rush arsenal isn’t fully developed yet, but he flashes violent hands and a quick inside swim move. Running backs have little chance against his bull rush when he builds a head of steam. If, however, Willekes doesn’t win at the point of attack with his hands or with some kind of speed move, he struggles to shed/disengage. He’s an all-or-nothing type of pass-rusher at this point.

Against the run, Willekes has a good nose for the football and is relentless in his pursuit of the ball carrier. He’s a reliable finisher with a quick penetrating style to make plays in the backfield. Even if he isn’t securing the tackle, he’s usually disrupting the flow of the play.

Overall, Willekes is a well-rounded edge defender who will be an asset both on passing and running downs. He might not be a double-digit sack guy in the NFL, but he absolutely projects as the kind of starting defender who will be one of the three or four best defensive players on his team.

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